North Eastern Ontario Family and Children's Services (NEOFACS) recognizes its volunteers annually in April during National Volunteer Week (NVW). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and our volunteer program being put on hold, NEOFACS' annual volunteer recognition event was postponed this year. As we navigate through a global crisis and uncertain times, we would like to express even more gratitude than ever for their patience.

Our volunteers work tirelessly to achieve progress in our communities and country. They give time in support of causes and programs they believe in and ask for nothing in return. Their time contributes billions of dollars to the Canadian economy every month, at last count over $55 billion per year. Their smiles bring happiness and hope.

It is now time to celebrate our very own volunteers for their commitment, dedication, generosity and selflessness towards our children, youth and families. Our volunteers work year-round to support our programs by helping our hard-working colleagues.

Without volunteers, so much of what must be done, or extras, would go undone!

During 2019, our volunteers enhanced and contributed to the work that we did by:

  • Transporting children to appointments, visits with relatives, sports, activities
  • Helping children and youth move from one city to another
  • Mentoring children
  • Providing child care
  • Helping youth transitioning to independence
  • Grocery shopping, budgeting, meal planning and cleaning
  • Providing relief to parents, grandparent and foster parents
  • Assisting workers with planning and implementing community and recruitment events
  • Played a major role during our Christmas Angel Campaign

Our volunteers graciously completed each assignment with pride and remained patient when things did not go according to instructions or when the weather did not cooperate. They have an amazing understanding of the nature of our work and help shape our volunteer program with their personal life experiences and feedback. We are very fortunate to have such a great group of incredible and dedicated volunteers.

As a thank you, our volunteers will be receiving gifts based on the number of hours, kilometres driven and amount of completed assignments.

We thank all of our volunteers for their service and dedication! Their contributions in all of our communities help us to fulfil our mission of working together for the well-being and safety of children, youth and families.​