National Volunteer Week, April 23 to April 29, pays tribute
to the millions of Canadian volunteers across the country who
give of themselves to better their communities. National
Volunteer Week is a time for all of us to pause and celebrate
the energy and commitment of volunteers.
"According to the 2003 National Survey of Non-profit and
Voluntary Organizations, more than half of Canadian non-profit
organizations rely solely on volunteers to fulfill their
mission" says Marlene Deboisbriand, president of Volunteer
Canada.
Canadians volunteer more than two billion hours a year,
equivalent to more than one million full-time jobs. They have
an enormous impact on civil society.
Volunteering is the lifeblood of Canadian communities. It
provides us with a sense of connectedness and well-being. It
allows us to participate in nurturing our environments,
bringing people together-in hospital corridors, in schools, on
playing fields and in board rooms-for good reasons and common
purposes.
Volunteering helps to build better, stronger, healthier
communities.
Cinéfest Sudbury is so fortunate to have more than 200 of
the most dedicated, hard-working and friendly volunteers. 
Without their help, the festival as we know it simply wouldn't
be possible, and we can't thank them enough.
Cinéfest Sudbury staff