News and Events

Celebrating International Volunteer Day
Christmas Angels 2008
Volunteer support in 2007

Celebrating International Volunteer Day

On 5 December 2007, World Vision celebrated International Volunteer Day. We lavished our valuable volunteers with praise and appreciation for the wonderful contribution they have made.

This day was first declared International Volunteer Day (IVD) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, with the first IVD celebrated in l986. Involving dozens of countries worldwide, Australia’s IVD is dedicated to recognising the vast volunteer effort involved in running many not-for-profit organisations and events.

At World Vision we choose to recognise International Volunteer Day with various celebrations in each state.

Christmas Angels 2007

Hundreds of volunteers around the country have volunteered for the Christmas Angels Campaign. An annual campaign for World Vision, Christmas Angels volunteers set up displays in all major shopping centres around the country.

Volunteer support is critical to the success of this campaign. To all the Child Sponsorship promotion volunteers who are assisting with the campaign – a big thank you!

Volunteer support in 2007

During 2007 World Vision witnessed amazing support from almost 4000 volunteers across Australia. This year volunteers contributed over 157,000 hours of unpaid work, which was valued at almost $3.5 million*. This is a LOT of money, and it demonstrates the extraordinary value and support of our dedicated volunteers.

Volunteers play a crucial role at all levels of our work, from the national and state offices through to the Board of Directors. This year our volunteers were involved in everything from helping plan and manage projects, to keeping our offices running smoothly, to assisting in shopping centre displays, to speaking in schools and churches, and helping to sort and package gifts in kind for shipment overseas.

*World Vision Australia Annual Report 2007