Thanking our volunteers

Nolene Aitchison’s world changed the day volunteers came into her life.

The widowed 91-year-old local wasn’t expecting the bond that would develop when CBCity’s Meals on Wheels volunteers knocked on her door, nearly a year ago.

But it’s not the ready-to-eat hot meals she looks forward to. For her, the daily visits and human interaction with volunteers is what nourishes her the most.

“I’ve got nieces but I’m the only one left in my family … (so) it’s nice and provides someone to say hello to instead of these four walls,” Mrs Aitchinson said.

As part of National Voluneteer Week, CBCity Mayor Khal Asfour praised the community’s many volunteers who offer countless hours of their time to help the city and it’s people grow.

“There are hundreds of volunteers in CBCity who are dedicated to our bushcare, libraries and sports programs. Meals on Wheels, which now delivers 55,000 meals a year compared to starting with just 16 clients in 1966, is one of those programs and services made possible through the generosity of our wonderful volunteers,” Mayor Asfour said.

“These are the people who are always there for others, day in and day out. They work with an unfailing commitment to put others’ needs before theirs and our City is truly indebted to them.

“They are the unsung heroes of our local community and I’d encourage everyone to thank them and show our gratitude to them.”

With recent national and global events ranging from unprecedented bushfires to the global COVID-19 pandemic, he said acknowledging our volunteers now is as important as ever.

This year’s National Volunteer Week theme is ‘Changing Communities. Changing Lives’.