OTTAWA, December 5, 2008 –The RCMP is proud to celebrate International Volunteer Day - December 5th with their 75,000 volunteers. RCMP members in detachments across the country today will be recognizing their volunteers for the numerous hours and dedicated years they have put into community policing and crime prevention programs.
The RCMP is privileged to partner with many community-based programs, such Citizens on Patrol, Crimestoppers, Neighbourhood Watch, and Victim Services, to name only a few.
"We salute our RCMP volunteers," says D/Commr. Darrell Madill, officer in charge of contract and Aboriginal policing for the RCMP, "and deeply appreciate the many services they provide alongside our regular members in communities across the country."
The RCMP relies on many volunteer-based programs, such as the Search and Rescue and Auxiliary Constable Programs. Some volunteers have dedicated more than 20 years to making these programs a successful and valuable community resource. "Volunteers share their skills and abilities to assist the RCMP with dedication and much generosity ," says D/Commr Madill. "International Volunteer Day is great opportunity to highlight their efforts. My hope is that RCMP members are thanking volunteers across the country every day for their services."
International Volunteer Day takes place on December 5th each year and is officially recognized by the United Nations as a day on which volunteers around the world are celebrated for their contributions and dedication. More information is available on the Volunteer Canada website at www.volunteer.ca and World Volunteer Web website at www.worldvolunteerweb.org.
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For further information on the RCMP Volunteer Program, please contact Louis Zuniga, National Volunteer Program Coordinator at (613) 993-8423.
