Kings volunteer centre helps launch new provincial network site

Website to offer “one-stop-shop” connecting volunteers to non-profits

A new website means volunteers in Kings County and across the province can find local opportunities in their communities with non-profits looking for volunteers.

Members of the Kings Volunteer Resource Centre recently gathered to announce the unveiling of VolunteerNS, a website that will act as a networking platform linking non-profit organizations with volunteers looking to donate their time and effort.

KVRC treasurer, volunteer and founding member Bruce MacArthur described it as a free and searchable “one-stop-shop” for everything volunteer-related.

He said the service will answer volunteer questions like, ‘where do I apply,’ ‘who do I speak with’ and ‘how do I know if I even qualify,’ and organization questions like, ‘where should we advertise for this,’ ‘will it cost anything,’ ‘what’s the most effective way to get responses.’

“For us, to try (to) help volunteers look for places to volunteer, and vice versa for groups, was challenging. We were looking for a better, and this is obviously [it],” he said.

The website is zero-cost and available to all non-profit groups to post volunteer vacancies. Its search function means volunteers can seek opportunities and locations that best fit their respective regions and areas of expertise.

KVRC volunteer and board member Sara Langford said KVRC designed the website in consultation with Volunteer Canada and the province because it was so excited by the prospect it decided to “think big” to facilitate volunteering across the province.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity to make volunteering more accessible to people. Oftentimes, when we talk to people about why they don’t volunteer, they say they simply didn’t realize there was a need,” she said.

The centre said – according to statistics provided by GPI Atlantic – Nova Scotian volunteers contributed nearly $2 billion services to the province’s economy, and together volunteer for a total of 140 million hours per year.

A provincial report indicated, at the announcement, volunteers from the province contribute on average 192 hours each per year – the high-

throughout October and there is a new display for November.

Something to remember: Coming up at the library is Coffee & Conversation on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The conversation starter will be dietician Sarah Mullen.

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A lot of praying has been taking place.

ACW recently met at Christ Church hall with vice-president Carolyn Dumbrille chairing the meeting.

The Missionary Society and Wes- est such number in Canada.

MLA and Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine was present at the announcement, pointing out that he and nearly everyone in the room had spent some amount of their time volunteering.

“We know the importance of volunteers to our province – it is really a phenomenal part of who we are as Nova Scotians,” he said.

The new website can be found at: https://volunteerns.ca/ ton/Welsford/Somerset Auxiliary recently joined with the MacPherson Auxiliary of the Berwick Baptist Church for the Baptist World Day of Prayer service. Refreshments followed the service and were supplied by the Berwick group. After this, the MacPherson Auxiliary met for its regular meeting.

White Ribbon Sunday is Nov. 25 and it recognizes violence against women.

There will be an Advent event at St. Mary’s this year on Dec.7 as well as one at Christ Church on Dec. 13. Twila Robar-Decoste will be in charge of the crafts. Reports were given from the treasurer and also one on the regional ACW meeting held recently in Kentville. The group will be catering a dinner for the librarians. Sheila Munday and Diane McClintock will be members of the nominating committee. A discussion was held on new ways of raising money through catering.

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The South Berwick Community Centre was the place to be on Nov. 6 when five tables of 45s were in play. Prizewinners were first, Carol Garland; second, Roxie Redden; third, Sharon Kilcup; fourth, Roseanne Kaizer; 50/50, Andrea Hale and the door prize was won by Nancy Ward. SCHOFIELD TRIMPER

SARA ERICSSON Kings Volunteer Resource Centre treasurer, volunteer and founding member Bruce MacArthur speaks at the launch for VolunteerNS, a website linking nonprofits with volunteers across the province.

age 73, of Round Hill, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 4, 2018 at home. Born in Springfield, N.S., he was the son of the late Wesley and Florence (Wile) Silver. Gordie trained as a cartographer and over the years was employed with the provincial government; Bowater Mersey and the County of Annapolis Assessment Division. He retired in 1996, but later moved to the County of Kings where he worked on mapping projects and from 2003 to 2016 he worked as a Title Searcher at TMC Law, Kentville. While living in Kings County, he was also a past member of New Minas Volunteer Fire Department. Gordie’s family was the most important thing in his life and any time he spent with them brought him great joy. He also loved music, which was also a big part of his life. He enjoyed travelling around singing and playing guitar and played with several music groups over the years, the last one being “Highway 10.” He was also a great handyman and would freely tackle any kind of task. He will be deeply missed by his

MLA and Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine was present at the launch of VolunteerNS.

~ Age63, of South Greenwood, Kings County, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on Sunday, November 4, 2018, in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. Born in Middleton, he was a son of the late George A. and Mary J. (Moody) Schofield. Gerry had worked at Thompson’s Transfer and later employed as a Sales Representative with Parts for Trucks. He was a member of Aylesford Baptist Church and a veteran member of the Aylesford & District Volunteer Fire Department with 26 years of service. Gerry loved family time spent camping at Keji and at Morden by the shore. Surviving are his wife of 34 years the former Annette M. Weagle; children, Timothy (Jen) Schofield and Anthony (Vanessa) Schofield, both of Ottawa, Ont.; Katelyn (Sean) Nicks, Edmon-

~ age92, of Bear River East, passed away peacefully on November 6, 2018 at the Annapolis Royal Nursing Home. Born on May 27, 1926 in Victory, Annapolis County, she was a daughter of the late Clayton and Eleanor (Darres) Hewey. Frances is survived by son, Danny (Lorna), Bear River East; daughters-in-law, Viola, Digby; Helen, Greenland; grandchildren, Carol Anne (Roger) Daley, April Trimper, Kelly (Steven) Kempton, Jackie (Jamie) Gillis, Tiffany (Brent) Kenney and Adam Trimper; greatgrandchildren, Alex, Emily, Olivia, Hannah, Heidi, Austin, Ashton, Seth and Landon; brother, Ronald (Juanita), Moschelle; sisters, Florence, Ontario; Joyce, Digby; Aileen, Upper Clements and Marina, Annapolis and several nieces and nephews.