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Issue #45

March 2006

National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week, April 23 to 29, 2006, pays special tribute to the Canadian volunteers across the country who give of themselves to better their communities and the lives of others.

From January 1 to December 31, 2005, 50 volunteers donated 2,770 hours to Literacy Plus. They tutored adults across Renfrew County, served on Literacy Plus’s Board of Directors and committees, and helped with many jobs in the office. We couldn ’t do what we do without them.

The staff of Literacy Plus asks students and the community to join us in recognizing the tutors, Board members and other volunteers who share their valuable time and skills to make Literacy Plus the great program that it is. Thank you, volunteers!

Once upon Eternity,
Above the clouds so high,
There were some chosen Angels
Who had no wings to fly.
Their hands were made for helping,
Their hearts were tender too,
Their smiles were warm and happy
And glowed as halos do!
So God sent down these Angels,
Because they were such dears,
To spend their gentle love on earth—
We call them VOLUNTEERS!!

(Thanks to Ethel Ryan for this poem)

Census Day

Tuesday, May 16, is Census Day. Approximately 31 million people in Canada in 12.7 million households and all agricultural operations will count themselves in by completing and returning their census questionnaires on-line or by mail.

Why do we have a census? The census is not just a population count. The data is used for many purposes. For example, government departments need to know the age trends of the population to plan for pensions, health care, housing, employment programs and child tax credits. Town planners use census information on households and families to estimate needs for housing, hospitals and day-care centres.

Statistics Canada conducts the census. A kit for adult learners, including handbooks and a teacher’s guide, is available to download at their website: www22.statcan.ca/ccr_r000_e.htm Click “For Teachers” in the list on the left. Literacy Plus will also have the kit at the office.

A Census Help Line will operate starting May 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Phone
1-877-594-2006. Make sure you count yourself in!