While COVID-19 has changed the nature of volunteering, it’s as important now as ever to find ways to give back to the community according to David Maffitt, chairperson of Volunteer Airdrie – both for yourself as well as for others.
“It gives each day a purpose,” Maffitt said. “Instead of getting up and you’re stuck at home with nothing to do, I think it gives people a reason to get out of bed and get going. I know it’s definitely doing that for me.”
Because of widespread social distancing measures meant to limit the spread of the virus, Maffitt said most “high-contact” face-to-face volunteer opportunities in Airdrie have been suspended.
“Formal volunteering is not likely an option right now, because the RCMP has come out with a statement saying they’re suspending any non-essential background checks and fingerprinting because of the circumstance,” he said. “A lot of organizations like the [Airdrie] food bank, [Airdrie] Meals on Wheel [and] Community Links are not taking on any new volunteers.”
With community organizations already stretched to the limit, he said, they simply don’t have the ability to recruit, screen, onboard and train new volunteers. Meanwhile, all of Volunteer Airdrie’s public events have been suspended and the organization’s operations have moved online, with its youth programming now being offered virtually.
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Even though in-person volunteering is suspended, there’s still plenty of ways residents can give back to the community, Maffitt said. Local organizations like Airdrie Food Bank and Soap for Hope YYC have put out calls for help, and Maffitt encourages families to hold virtual food or donation drives to give food, needed items or cash.
“The other one I noticed was a shout-out for making face masks for the Mustard Seed,” Maffitt said. “They need 1,000 face masks made, and there’s a number of different ways to do that.”
Information on making masks can be found at Volunteer Airdrie’s Facebook page.
Maffitt said residents are also taking it upon themselves to volunteer informally, with grassroots Facebook groups like Airdrie COVID-19 Volunteers and Airdrie Helping Neighbours Affected by COVID-19 springing up to connect people in need with people who can help.
Volunteer Airdrie’s Better Impact app – which allows people to register as volunteers and become aware of volunteering opportunities – has also been updated to assist during the pandemic.
“I’ve just started populating a new category called Airdrie COVID-19 Response with ideas on what people can do to help out from the safety and comfort of their homes,” Maffitt said.
During this time of social-isolation, he said, volunteering can provide an opportunity to remain connected to the community, and to strengthen familial bonds by embarking on projects with those in your household.
“We’re really encouraging informal volunteering,” Maffitt added. “One of our main values is to empower Airdrie residents, and it comes down to a DIY mentality.”
Volunteer Airdrie wants to make sure people are volunteering safely, he added, and the organization plans to add information on safety and sanitary practices for people to implement while they lend a helping hand.
If you are volunteering informally, Maffitt said you should still continue practicing recommended safety measures – maintaining a distance of at least two metres from other people, frequently wash your hands and if you’re ill, stay home.
“I’m going to encourage people to consult municipal, provincial and federal agencies on all the guidelines and best practices, because those things change daily,” he said. “The worst thing you can do is go out and help a neighbour with best intentions and either infect them because you’re not showing any symptoms yourself and you feel healthy…or vice versa.”
Additional resources are available on Volunteer Airdrie’s Facebook page or volunteerairdrie.ca
Ben Sherick, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BenSherick
