National Volunteer Week 2026: Giving is Receiving
From April 19th to 25th, National Volunteer Week celebrates the spirit of mutual support and generosity in our society. In Le Groupe Maurice residences, as in the broader community, the involvement of seniors plays an essential role. Itâs this precious blend of experience, empathy and commitment that we want to highlight!
What National Volunteer Week is all about
Did you know that in 2018, more than 5 million Quebecers took part in volunteer activities, according to the Institut de la statistique du QuĂ©bec? Of those, 978,000 were 65 or older â proof that the spirit of giving never retires!
During National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the essential role that volunteering plays in our communities. Every action, even the simplest, helps strengthen the social fabric, support vulnerable individuals and build connections across generations.
And this generosity often reaches far beyond the help it provides: it benefits those in need while giving back just as much to those who get involved. We often hear that giving is receiving â and far from being a clichĂ©, this idea rings especially true when we choose to offer a little of our time, our energy, or our expertise.
âContributing to your community brings a sense of pride, which boosts self-esteem. (âŠ) You also build connections with the people you work alongside, and with those you help,â says Louise Dontigny, Executive Director of the RĂ©seau de lâaction bĂ©nĂ©vole du QuĂ©bec.
Getting involved in a cause or with others nurtures a sense of purpose, sparks meaningful connections and encourages an active life.
For older adults, this kind of engagement proves especially beneficial. A study published in the Canadian Geriatrics Journal found that volunteering led to greater physical activity and a stronger sense of oneâs ability to manage well in daily life. A real boost for cognitive health, all in all!
Volunteering in all its forms
In society
In Quebec, many organizations rely on volunteer work to carry out their mission. Some forms of involvement require a regular commitment, while others are based on occasional contributions. Among older individuals, this engagement often draws on a wealth of experience built up over the years â or simply on the desire to help others.
Here are a few volunteering avenues worth exploring, based on each personâs availability and interests:
- Offering a listening ear through a support line such as Tel-Aide MontrĂ©al or LâAppui;
- Joining a food community organization such as LâĆuvre Soupe Maison, Moisson MontrĂ©al, or La GuignolĂ©e;
- Taking part in activities at a local library (reading to children, helping at cultural events, etc.);
- Accompanying patients in hospitals or care centres;
- Joining a âknitting grandmasâ group to make small blankets or hats for newborns in maternity wards;
- Getting involved with recreational organizations or school mentorship programs;
- Keeping company with an older adult experiencing loneliness, through organizations such as Little Brothers;
- Contributing to Meals on Wheels programs.
At Le Groupe Maurice
While some older adults choose to get involved with community organizations, others prefer to contribute closer to home â right where they live. In Le Groupe Maurice residences, for example, a number of heartfelt initiatives built around sharing and mutual support have taken shape:
- Leading workshops centred on personal passions âknitting, painting, writing or board games;
- Contributing to the residence library;
- Taking part in gatherings such as âmaternity cafĂ©sâ to connect with expectant mothers and share knowledge and experience;
- Welcoming new residents to help ease their transition.
Itâs worth noting that these volunteer commitments are always, first and foremost, a matter of personal choice. Nothing is ever required. And while every gesture counts, this isnât about performance. Itâs about showing up and contributing:
âFrom the moment I arrived at the residence, I made it clear that I wanted to help. The joy on peopleâs faces, however brief, touches me deeply. Giving of yourself is also a gift to yourself, carried by the sincerity and the smiles of those you accompany,â shares Micheline Charrette, a resident at BorĂ©a.
One gesture is all it takes
As this article and National Volunteer Week remind us, making a difference doesnât necessarily require a great deal of time or a formal, structured commitment.
Through a gesture, a listening ear, or a sharing of knowledge and experience, everyone can let their generosity speak â and enrich their community in their own way. The examples presented here are just a glimpse of the many ways to get involved; there are plenty more to discover. So⊠ready to give it a try?