News Release
Local Students Embrace Youth Volunteer Challenge
High School Students exceed challenge goals by volunteering for 8,182 hours
KINGSTON, Ont. (June 5, 2013) – Not only did local high school students embrace the Change the World: The Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge, they exceeded local targets by a wide margin, with 1,813 volunteering for an impressive 8,182 hours.
United Way Volunteer Centre administered the challenge in KFL&A, encouraging students to log the hours they volunteered between April 21 and May 22. In 2012 834 youth volunteered for 2,498 hours. This year a goal of 1,000 youth completing 3,000 hours of volunteering was set.
“Seeing so many students rise to the occasion was truly phenomenal,” says United Way President and CEO Bhavana Varma. “It shows that the young people of KFL&A are committed to making an impact on their community. It speaks well for student engagement today and even better for the future.”
All 11 high schools from the Limestone District School Board and Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board participated in the challenge this year as well as Pathways to Education and the Boys and Girls Club. Some examples of the student volunteer activities include:
- Holy Cross students held a pitch-in day and helped organize a grade 8 orientation day.
- Kingston Collegiate & Vocational Institute students helped plan an Inter School Coffee to raise money for the Food Sharing Project.
- La Salle Secondary School students took part in the 30-Hour Famine to raise money and awareness about world hunger and volunteered at a Mental Health Conference.
- Loyalist Collegiate Vocational Institute students organized an elementary school cross country race.
- Queen Elizabeth Collegiate Vocational Institute students took part in Pitch In Day and cleaned up in the neighbourhood.
- Regiopolis Secondary School students volunteered at Martha’s Table and organized a Grade 8 Fun Day.
- Sharbot Lake High School students organized a Youth For Youth Coffee House.
- Sydenham High School students built a shed for the Southern Frontenac Community Services agency and their community garden.
The challenge gives students the opportunity to develop new skills and broaden their awareness of community service organizations.
This initiative is made possible with funding support from the government of Ontario.
About United Way Volunteer Centre
Established in 2011, the United Way Volunteer Centre matches individuals in KFL&A looking to volunteer with not-for-profit organizations that have volunteer opportunities.
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Media Contact:
Bhavana Varma, CEO, United Way KFL&A
613-542-2674, ext. 2 bvarma@unitedwaykfla.ca
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