Thank you 5.4 million times

10 May 2010 | Volunteering Australia

National Volunteer Week will be held from the 10–16 May and it is a timely reminder that we sometimes forget to say thank you for the amazing contribution they make to Australian society.

Volunteering Australia CEO, Cary Pedicini, said that all that many volunteers want in return for their contribution is a thank you. "Our National Survey of Volunteering Issues found that 36% of respondents had not received any thanks for their volunteering in the previous month and that is not good enough."

"About 80% of respondents said 'knowing that my contribution would make a difference' is most important to them in their decision to volunteer."

"A simple thank you is not too much to expect in return and National Volunteer Week will provide that platform for many organisations to recognise their volunteers."

"Volunteers contribute more than 700 million hours of voluntary work annually and it is difficult to imagine where we would be without this commitment from so many people."

The theme for National Volunteer Week is Volunteering: now, more than ever. The theme highlights that volunteering, now, more than ever, is important to Australian society and the contribution of all volunteers must be recognised.

"More than 130 celebrations around Australia are listed on the National Volunteer Week website," Cary said. "It is exciting to see so many thank you celebrations happening and Volunteering Australia thanks all of our volunteers for their commitment to helping others."

Volunteering Australia recognises and thanks our National Volunteer Week sponsors. NAB, The GPT Group and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Their support contributes strongly to the successful celebration of volunteering.