2nd Annual National Volunteer Week Community Wide Volunteer Appreciation Event

WHAT: The Gibson Centre for Community, Arts and Culture and CONTACT's
Volunteer South Simcoe are hosting their 2nd Annual Community Wide
Volunteer Appreciation Event to celebrate and recognize the invaluable
contribution of our wonderful South Simcoe Volunteers

The highlight of the event is a special performance by local high school
students who are participating in the ChangeTheWorld Ontario Youth
Volunteer Challenge in South Simcoe. These enthusiastic youth
volunteers will be participating in a "Day of Arts" at The Gibson Center
where they will work with local artists prior to the Volunteer
Appreciation Event to create and produce their own "show".

WHO: Approx. 150 Volunteers from various community organizations
throughout South Simcoe Approx. 40 Youth Volunteers
Local Artists from South Simcoe

WHEN: Sunday, April 26, 2009 * 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

ITINERARY
6 p.m. - Wine and Dessert Reception
6:45 p.m. - Photo Op. of Local Volunteers in Performance Hall
7:15 p.m. - Special Performance by Youth Volunteers (including dance,
art, music, and theatre)
**Note: Youth Volunteers will be rehearsing their performances with
local artists during the afternoon from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. prior to the
event as part of the "Day of Arts" Event. Media are also invited to
attend this event.

WHERE: The Gibson Centre for Community, Arts and Culture, 63 Tupper
Street West, Alliston, Ontario

VISUALS: Photo Op. of Volunteers in Performance Hall at 6:45 p.m., Local
Youth Volunteers Performances

BACKGROUND: National Volunteer Week is a special time set aside each
spring to recognize volunteers in our community. The Community Wide
Volunteer Appreciation Event is held every year to thank volunteers who
care enough to invest their time, their talents, and their energy to
help make South Simcoe the best community possible.

ChangeTheWorld Ontario Youth Volunteer Challenge is a way for Ontario
teens to make a difference in their lives and communities through
volunteering. The "Day of Arts" is just one of a series of events that
South Simcoe youth have participated in during National Volunteer Week.
Events are designed specifically to encourage youth to take the lead in
building their communities.

The Gibson Centre for Community, Arts and Culture is an 1899 heritage
building that began its life as a factory and has been transformed into
a Centre for community, arts and culture. It offers a performance hall,
banquet facilities, art gallery, café, studio spaces, seniors centre and
more. The Gibson Centre's mission is to operate and enhance a
historically significant landmark for hosting cultural activities,
showcasing of the arts, and the cultivation of an environment which
promotes and encourages knowledge and skills in artistic pursuits.

CONTACT's Volunteer South Simcoe supports and strengthens volunteerism
in South Simcoe by engaging people in rewarding volunteer opportunities,
promoting volunteerism, and encouraging partnerships within the local
volunteer sector. Volunteer South Simcoe also aspires to teach,
support, and assist young volunteers in discovering how to be involved
in the community in a meaningful way.