International Volunteer Day 2013

International Volunteer Day celebrates individuals and organizations who are giving back to society through citizen leadership and volunteerism.

The Youville Centre is a non-profit, registered charity that assists young mothers and their children.

They then joined a group of approximately 10 volunteers from Hydro Ottawa visiting as part of Community Action Day, a city-wide initiative jointly organized by United Way Ottawa and Volunteer Ottawa. Together, Their Excellencies and the volunteers will bake cookies in preparation for the Centre’s Christmas luncheon being held on December 18, 2013.

That afternoon, Their Excellencies toured the facilities of the Youville Centre, which include classrooms and an on-site daycare.

Their Excellencies helped to decorate the Youville Centre's Christmas tree.

During the event, They Excellencies also donated a basket of non-perishable food items to La Manne de L'île, a local food bank.

Established in 2001, La grande guignolée des médias brings together members of media outlets from across Quebec for a full day of fundraising for local charities.

Their Excellencies collected funds and items from vehicles that are stopped at the intersection of Alexandre-Taché Boulevard and St-Joseph Boulevard, in Gatineau, Quebec. Many different charities benefit from this day-long fundraiser.

Since its beginning, La grande guignolée des médias has collected over $22 million in donations.

On December 5, 2013, Their Excellencies joined volunteers and participate in 13th annual outdoor collection of money and non-perishable food items for local charities.

The Youville Centre's holistic programs and services allow young mothers aged 15 to 21 to graduate high school, learn to parent their children, develop essential life skills and receive crucial mental health and addiction counselling to help them build a brighter future for themselves and their children.