In celebration of National Volunteer Week 2021, April 18 through 24, the UWindsor Alumni Association is reflecting — virtually — on the impact of volunteers on campus and in the community this past year.

After the pandemic halted in-person activities for the Alumni Association, the focus shifted to providing support and engaging volunteers in a virtual setting.

“This change brought on a unique level of engagement for our volunteers and alumni,” says Rob Janisse, alumni co-ordinator of special projects. “Whether it was our Board of Directors or committees working to support and fund various community initiatives in the battle against COVID-19, volunteers donating their blood as part of the Alumni Cares Blood Drive, or alumni across the globe joining UWindsor Ten Thousand Coffees to mentor students and alumni facing new challenges, our volunteers stepped up when it mattered most.”

The Alumni Cares Volunteer Program was launched in January and provides opportunities for alumni and friends of the University of Windsor to give back to their communities in a meaningful and engaging way. Through volunteerism, local and global community outreach, and acts of good will, the program seeks to build campus and community partnerships by collaborating to help those in need and supporting the mission of enriching the lives of students and alumni.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, the Alumni Association will be profiling volunteers and their impacts on social media and encouraging the Lancer community to share and celebrate their volunteer experiences.

To get involved with the Alumni Association or to learn more, visit uwindsor.ca/alumni/volunteer.