Volunteering: a Simple Gesture With a Huge Impact

At the end of April, National Volunteer Week 2025 (April 27 to May 4), sponsored by Volunteer Canada, takes place under the theme “Volunteers make waves”. This will be an opportunity to highlight the value of volunteers and their positive contribution to our society.

It’s essential to thank volunteers for all they do, and to express our gratitude for their commitment. Their work is often invisible, but it has a huge impact. At the CSCE, some 50 volunteers are involved in a wide range of activities, including the Board of Directors, the Green Box program, running exercise groups, organizing sports and leisure activities, and organizing flu vaccination clinics.

The benefits of volunteering:

Volunteering is a very important activity in our society. It’s an activity where you give your time and energy to help others, without expecting any money in return. Volunteering is good for others and good for yourself. It creates bonds of mutual support and breaks down isolation. Many community organizations, such as soup kitchens, clothing counters, leisure clubs, etc., increase their capacity to meet the diverse needs of their community members with the help of volunteers.

Volunteering is good for you, because helping others bring a great sense of personal fulfillment and satisfaction. You feel good when you feel useful. By focusing on the needs of others, we often forget our own worries. It also enables us to develop skills such as communication, project management and teamwork. By helping us better understand others and their needs, we develop compassion and empathy. What’s more, volunteering is a great way to meet new people and make friends.

What better way to encourage people to get involved than with testimonials from CSCE volunteers?

“Having been very well served by the Centre de Santé when I needed it, I’m proud to now give back to our Centre by volunteering for the seniors’ fitness program. I have completed instructor training for this age group and feel that my efforts contribute to the well-being of people who might otherwise become sedentary. We have fun and keep fit. Volunteering at the Centre is a real pleasure, because you become part of a great group of friends and get to meet lots of people with whom you share the same interests. I invite you to do the same, because the needs are great and varied.” Yvon L.

“As physical activity is very important in my life and I’ve been teaching for 37 years, I decided to combine these two interests to make a difference and positive change for the betterment of the Alexandria community and surrounding area by teaching fitness classes twice a week for sixty minutes per class. I love the feeling of giving back to society in an area that is close to our hearts.

It’s a great challenge that gives us a lot of pleasure, boosts our self-esteem and allows us to socialize and stay in shape both physically and mentally. The feeling of belonging to this group also enables us to expand our social network!

Doing good feels good!” – Denise

CSCE is always looking for volunteers!
The Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE) is always looking for dedicated volunteers who want to get involved in their community. Whether it’s lending a hand during events, supporting our services, or sharing your skills, your contribution can make a real difference. We invite you to fill out our online volunteer form.

Here are some of our volunteers in action!