Welcome to National Volunteer Week 2026, April 19 to 25!
A fun fact – National Volunteer Week was first recognized in Canada during the second world war to celebrate the contributions women were making to the war effort on the home front. While observance of National Volunteer Week fell to the wayside after the war, it gained momentum again in the late 1960s. Revived by organizations who wished to stress the importance of thanking their volunteers for their many contributions, National Volunteer Week continues to be an important time for many groups who rely on volunteers to this day.
This year not only are we celebrating National Volunteer Week, but the United Nations has also declared 2026 International Volunteer Year (IVY26). Across our community, the nation and the globe emphasis is being placed on recognizing volunteers for their contributions.
Volunteer Waterloo Region, and the over 150 partner organizations that we work with in the community, salute all the volunteers! To informal volunteers who shovel their neighbours sidewalk, take a meal to an overwhelmed friend or pick up garbage along a pathway – THANK YOU! To formal volunteers who drive seniors to appointments, help children with literacy skills or welcome the entire community to outdoor summer events – THANK YOU! To all the volunteers in Waterloo Region doing so much that we cannot possibly list to make our community a better place to live – THANK YOU!
If you are looking to be a part of National Volunteer Week, thank a volunteer wherever you see them or become a volunteer yourself! Nothing says “Thank you” like pitching in your own time and skills.
Find out more about International Volunteer Year – https://volunteerwr.ca/ivy26-international-volunteer-year/
Check out more about National Volunteer Week on Social Media –
LinkedIn – Volunteer Waterloo Region
Facebook – VolunteerWR
Instagram – YouthVolunteerWR
Bluesky – @VolunteerWR.bsky.social
Discover a volunteer position for yourself – https://volunteerwr.ca/volunteer/