Friday, December 19, 2008, Ottawa – Volunteer Ottawa, 211 Ottawa and United Way Ottawa are partnering to facilitate transportation for volunteers and organizations during the current transit interruption. Without public transportation, many volunteers have been left unable to help the community agencies that depend on their support at this time of year. Individuals who can help fill the shortage of volunteer drivers are being asked to contact 211 Ottawa.
“We’re seeing a lot of organizations struggling to fill volunteer shifts because of the transit disruption,” said Will Coukell, Executive Director, Volunteer Ottawa. “Volunteers are high in demand at this time of year and we hope people will consider donating some of their time to help out during the holidays.”
The transit interruption has created an urgent need for volunteer drivers with vehicles to help support community organizations. In addition to year-round volunteer needs throughout the community, numerous charities are reporting that holiday campaigns are harder than usual because of the volunteer shortage.
“During challenging times such as these, 211 Ottawa is glad to be able to connect Ottawa residents with the services they need,” said Marie-Andrée Carrière, Executive Director, 211 Ottawa. “Lately though, we have also had many people coming to us, offering their help and wanting to be put in touch with those in need.”
211 Ottawa, which has been fielding calls from generous individuals offering help, is a free telephone line which connects people to a full range of non-emergency social, health and government services in their community. 211 Ottawa staff are working with Volunteer Ottawa to connect organizations with volunteer resources.
Individuals with a driver’s licence and auto insurance who are able to donate time throughout the continuing transit interruption can call 2-1-1 for more information or visit www.volunteerottawa.ca. Community organizations are also encouraged to post requests for volunteers on the website.
For more information, please contact:
Jill Woodley, Manager of Communications, Volunteer Ottawa
Phone : 613-736-5266 x225 Cell : 613-850-6137
E-mail: jill@volunteerottawa.ca
Michel Fournier, Database Coordinator, 211 Ottawa
Phone : 613-683-5400 x5502
E-mail : Michel.fournier@cominfo-ottawa.org