ACS and town team up on volunteer recruitment fair again this year
- Ron Giofu
- Apr 8
- 3 min read
Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) and the Town of Amherstburg joined forces once again for a volunteer recruitment fair.
The fair was hosted in the community room at ACS’ location within the Amherstburg Community Hub with 16 organizations taking part. Each group had a table set up in the community room within ACS’s space at the hub.
Those included ACS and the town’s recreation department, the latter of which teamed with the Amherstburg Fort Malden Golden Age Club.
Other groups participating in the volunteer recruitment fair included the Canadian Transportation Museum & Heritage Village, Amherstburg Scouts, Community Living Essex County (CLEC), the Alzheimer Society of Windsor-Essex County, the Essex County Branch of Ontario Ancestors, the Marsh Collection Society, the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission, the Friends of Fort Malden, the Miracle League of Amherstburg, the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association (WETRA), the Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club, Encounter Church, the Gibson Gallery and the Canada Day Run, Walk & Wheel.
ACS executive director Kathy DiBartolomeo said there are “a wide variety of organizations looking for volunteers” and she was pleased not only with the amount of vendors, but the number of people looking for volunteer opportunities as well.
“We’ve had a lot of interest,” said DiBartolomeo. “There’s a nice range of volunteer opportunities for them to get involved with. I think we’ve had a good turnout.”
The fair is not only done in partnership with the town, but there is provincial grant funding that helps cover the cost. DiBartolomeo said there were young people and older people and everyone in between that stopped by.
“It’s a growing community that offers so much,” she said. “People just want to give back to the community.”
Kevin Saunders, associate pastor with Encounter Church, was helping to sign people up for the “Fill the Bus” event that is coming June 28-29 in partnership with Be the Light Ministries.
“It’s going pretty good,” said Saunders. “We’ve got lots of volunteers and lots of interest. It’s great we have so many people signing up. We’re looking forward to a busy day.”
Saunders agreed that the age range was from teens to retirees.
“It’s something everyone can do,” he said.
Bryerswood Youth Camp Optimist Club board member Ian Phillips was signing people up for their group.
“I’m surprised how many people are interested and are willing to give their time to help,” he said.
Phillips said there was a lot of community interest.
Miracle League of Amherstburg board president Shawn Dufour said the 2025 spring season starts May 3 and they have over 180 players signed up. He also said things were going well at the volunteer recruitment fair.
“It’s a great opportunity,” he said.
Dufour said he still runs into people who aren’t sure what the Miracle League does or who they are.
“I tell them ‘if you come out once, you are going to come out more than once’,” said Dufour. “It’s a great day out there every Saturday.”
Tony DeSantis, manager of community relations and resource development with CLEC, said the fair was well attended.
“This is a great opportunity to get the word out that volunteers are needed,” said DeSantis, who was joined by CLEC administrative officer Chantell Rossi. “As an organization, we’re always looking for volunteers.”
It was also an opportunity to bring awareness to the services CLEC provides, he said.
Emily O’Reilly, recreation and camp co-ordinator with the town, added her department as well as tourism always need volunteers.
“We’ve had a lot of different demographics from high school students to seniors,” she said. “I’ve gotten a lot of people interested to see what the town offers for volunteers.”
ACS and town team up on volunteer recruitment fair again this year
By Ron Giofu
Kommentare