International Volunteer Day: Celebrating Threads of Life’s remarkable volunteers

On this International Volunteer Day, we reflect on the importance of volunteers within our own  organization, and in the charitable sector across Canada and around the globe. United Nations Volunteers designated December 5 as International Volunteer Day to recognize the incredible impact of volunteers around the world.

According to the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report, in 2022, 14.3% of the global population participated in informal volunteering, while 6.5% of working age people worldwide engage in formal volunteering. This translates into roughly 1.6 billion people volunteering to improve life in their communities and beyond.

At Threads of Life, we are reminded daily of the importance of volunteers. Our 350+ volunteers are critical to our ability to deliver programs and services and plan events. The following is a snapshot of what Threads of Life achieved in 2024, thanks to the support of our amazing volunteers:

• Delivered over 120 speakers bureau presentations to a combined audience of over 12,000 people.
• Participated in 30 conferences and trade shows across Canada to help raise awareness of Threads of Life.
• Organized 28 community Steps for Life walks, attracting more than 5000 walkers and raising over $1 million.
• Hosted 3 regional family forums with volunteers taking the lead as emcee, keynote speakers, session facilitators and hosts, and assisting with registration.
• Answered the call to offer peer-support to those who needed a helping hand in the aftermath of a workplace tragedy.

As we celebrate International Volunteer Day, we celebrate and honour you – our volunteers – who contribute to every aspect of our organization. Your efforts are contributing to the successful delivery of our mission and vision. Threads of Life would not exist without our volunteers.

On behalf of the members of Threads of Life, thank you to each and every volunteer for your dedication to supporting the healing journey of families experiencing a workplace tragedy. And thank you to all volunteers, across the globe, for your efforts to make this world a better place.

“Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud.”
 — Helen Dyer