Volunteer for Canada's 150th birthday

2017 is theyear to do something great for your community and at the same time celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.

Over 200 volunteer centres across the country will launch the Canada 150 for 150 Volunteer Challenge, which asks Canadians tovolunteer for 150 hours at a charitable organization. On average Canadians volunteer for 143 hours in a calendar year.

In Waterloo Region individuals, families or group can register through the Volunteer Action Centre of Kitchener Waterloo and Area to track your hours throughout the year.

Canada built on volunteers

In Waterloo Region about 48 per cent of people volunteer, according to the VAC.That's above the average for volunteering in Ontario which is around 43 per cent.

"It doesn't matter what you do, or how you get involved, just get involved," said Jane Hennig, the executive director of the Volunteer Action Centre, in an interview with Craig Norris on The Morning Edition Wednesday.

She says she usually sees spikes in interest for volunteers in January and February as people make it a part of their New Year's resolutions. But this year is more special.

"This year being Canada's 150th anniversary we're really trying to promote that we have been a country that is 150 years of volunteering," said Hennig.

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Motivations for volunteering

Hennigsays her group deals with 160 charities from the very small to large multi-million dollar organizations.

An online search of the Volunteer Action Centre website allows you to search for the area of your interest, how long the organization needs you for and the number of hours per week.

"We find there are as many motivations for volunteering as there are volunteers," saidHennig.

"Some people really want to use the skills that they use in the workplace and enhance that skill in a volunteer environment. Or just offer that skill set to an organization that wouldn't have it otherwise."

Helping her resume

Jacynta Clarke has been volunteering with the centre for four months and says the time she has spent as an office administrator and with a youth group is also helping her resume.

"As an office administrator, I'm also gaining communication skills, public relations, leadership," said Clarke. "So I can take my administration farther."

Clarke says she started volunteering in high school, where many students get their first taste of volunteering. Studentsmust complete 40 volunteer hours by the time they finish school.

Popular searches

While the goal of the Canada 150 for 150 Volunteer Challengeis to create a legacy of volunteerism, Hennig suggests wherever you decide to volunteer, make sure it's something you love and have fun doing.

"The areas that work with children and youth and with animals and pets are the ones that people search the most," said Hennig.

"Least, is drivers and transportation. A really hard volunteer opportunity to fill, but one that's really badly needed."

The job includes taking people to doctor's' appointments or shopping.