Archive

Orangeville council hears of Non-profit Appreciation Week’s returns for second year

February 9, 2023   ·   0 Comments

By Sam Odrowski

The 2nd Annual Non-profit Sector Appreciation Week is being celebrated Feb. 13 to 19, and with it comes an opportunity for the public to show their support.

Michele Fisher, executive director of the Dufferin Community Foundation (DCF), delivered a presentation to Orangeville council on Feb. 6, highlighting what’s being planned locally for next week.

She shared that on Feb. 17, local eateries are giving away free food to anyone working in the charitable or not-for-profit sector. Déjà vu Diner is giving away a free breakfast up to $12.99 and Craft Pizza Bar is offering free Margherita or New York cheese pizzas.

Other participating businesses include Curry Mantra, Wicked Shortbread, The French Press, Lavender Blue Catering and Le Finis.

Kimberly Van Ryn of Branching Out Support Services is leading two virtual chair yoga sessions for Orangeville, and Simply Yoga is doing the same in Shelburne.

Fisher said DCF will be releasing a series of non-profit organization spotlights where they showcase these “invisible champions” and the critical work that they do.

She encouraged Orangeville council members to spend some time during Non-profit Sector Appreciation Week getting to know a local charity or two that they aren’t familiar with.

Fisher noted that the non-profit sector’s impact across the province totals $65 billion in economic activity, accounting for 7.9 per cent of GDP.

There are roughly 58,000 charities and non-profits across Ontario, with 850,000 full-time workers.

“Here in Dufferin County and Orangeville we have more than 150 non-profits serving our communities. The services range from everything from sports and recreation to hard hitting social services, children’s mental health, the environment, arts and culture,” said Fisher.

She noted that through the pandemic, the non-profit sector faced several challenges.

“There was an increased demand, they had to change their service delivery methods. and at the same time, they saw a lot of their traditional fundraising arenas start to close down,” Fisher said. “It was a tough time and they really went above and beyond providing essential services.”

Non-profit Appreciation Week is proclaimed on the third week of every February in Ontario and came into existence with the unanimous passing of Bill 9 in Dec. 2021.

A key organization in the creation of the week is Bhayana Family Foundation, who advocated to have a formal recognition created for people in the not-for-profit sector.

Non-profit Sector Appreciation Week is being recognized from Feb. 13 to 19 this year.

Readers Comments (0)