{"id":34362,"date":"2026-04-12T12:18:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T16:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legroupemaurice.com\/?p=34362"},"modified":"2026-04-16T12:18:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T16:18:31","slug":"national-volunteer-week-2026-giving-is-receiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legroupemaurice.com\/en\/articles\/national-volunteer-week-2026-giving-is-receiving\/","title":{"rendered":"National Volunteer Week 2026: Giving is Receiving"},"content":{"rendered":"

From April 19th<\/sup> to 25th<\/sup>, 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. It\u2019s this precious blend of experience, empathy and commitment that we want to highlight!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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What National Volunteer Week is all about<\/h3>\n

Did you know that in 2018, more than 5 million Quebecers took part in volunteer activities, according to the Institut de la statistique du Qu\u00e9bec? Of those, 978,000 were 65 or older<\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>proof that the spirit of giving never retires!<\/p>\n

During National Volunteer Week, we celebrate the essential role that volunteering plays in our communities. Every action, even the simplest<\/strong>, helps strengthen the social fabric, support vulnerable individuals and build connections across generations.<\/p>\n

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<\/em>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>and far from being a clich\u00e9, this idea rings especially true when we choose to offer a little of our time, our energy, or our expertise.<\/p>\n

\u201cContributing to your community brings a sense of pride, which boosts self-esteem. (\u2026) You also build connections with the people you work alongside, and with those you help,\u201d<\/em><\/strong> says Louise Dontigny, Executive Director of the R\u00e9seau de l\u2019action b\u00e9n\u00e9vole du Qu\u00e9bec<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Getting involved in a cause or with others nurtures a sense of purpose, sparks meaningful connections and encourages an active life.<\/p>\n

For older adults, this kind of engagement proves especially beneficial. A study published in the Canadian Geriatrics Journal<\/em> found that volunteering led to greater physical activity and a stronger sense of one\u2019s ability to manage well in daily life. A real boost for cognitive health, all in all!<\/p>\n

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Volunteering in all its forms<\/h3>\n

In society<\/h4>\n

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\u00a0\u2013\u00a0<\/em>or simply on the desire to help others.<\/p>\n

Here are a few volunteering avenues worth exploring, based on each person\u2019s availability and interests:<\/p>\n