The tradition of volunteering in the prairies goes back to the early pioneer days, when people would gather to help a neighbour with harvest or building a barn, or women would gather to bake, quilt, pluck and dress poultry. It is a practice common wherever small communities rely on each other for support.
However, the heritage that is community spirit carried on long after that pioneer era and thrives today, possibly giving rise to our reputation as “friendly Manitoba.”
In the US, much of the volunteer world is built around churches and religious organizations, but in Manitoba it is built around need and neighbourliness.
We have volunteer groups for everything from picking up street litter to visiting people who are alone in hospitals. While our governments provide significant resources to care for those in need and for special interest groups, it is the volunteer community that provides the contact at the ground level.
One of the most vibrant volunteer efforts revolves around newcomers to our province, with a wealth of support for immigrants along with volunteers who help celebrate the multicultural essence of our province.
Our network of support for the poor is embraced inside sand outside the province. Support networks for the lonely, the elderly, those with disabilities, those with mental issues and those who need assistance of any kind develop as soon as enough people recognize the need.
Wherever there is a need that cannot be fully met by government, locals step up to help.
Visit Volunteer Manitoba for more information. https://www.volunteermanitoba.ca/
