Nearly one million more canadian volunteers since 2007 - Latest Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating Data Released Today

- 13.3 Million Canadian Volunteers Contribute 2.1 Billion Total Hours -

- Young Canadians Deliver Highest Volunteer Rate -

OTTAWA, March 21, 2012 /CNW/ - Newly unveiled research today from Canada's most comprehensive study on giving and volunteering confirms an increase of nearly one million volunteers nationally. The 2010 Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating also reveals that young Canadians, 15-24, have consistently participated in volunteering more than any other age group for over a decade.

In 2010, a force of 13.3 million Canadians over the age of 15 participated in volunteering, an increase of more than 800,000 since 2007. These Canadians contributed 2.1 billion total volunteer hours. However, average annual volunteer hours decreased to 156 in 2010 from 166 in 2007. According to Statistics Canada, "the number of hours volunteered varied from one hour to a few thousand hours."

"It appears as though more Canadians are beginning to get involved in a vast range of volunteering options that work better with their lifestyles," said Ruth MacKenzie, President & CEO of Volunteer Canada.

ATTN EDITORS: Full version of this media release available at http://volunteer.ca/media-centre/media-kit

Phoebe Powell, 613-231-4371 x244, [email protected]
Brendan Glauser, 613-231-4371 x227, [email protected]