Halton Hills Establishes a Volunteer Registry during COVID-19 
By Dan Rochester, President, Rotary Club of Acton
 
With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent declarations of States of Emergency, the Community Development division of the Town of Halton Hills Recreation and Parks Department undertook the task of coordinating the service needs of individuals within the community with the agencies best able to meet those needs. The Town of Halton Hills is working with Halton Region, municipalities and local organizations to help the most vulnerable residents. The main goal will be to target vulnerable, self-isolating residents who are:
  • Financially insecure
  • Cannot access essential goods through other channels/support networks; and/or
  • Are self-isolating due to compromised immune status;
  • Experiencing other issues due to being isolated. 
The Community Support Action Team (CSAT) is working with local agencies to provide volunteers, resources and support to mobilize: 
  • Food security
  • Mental health and well being
  • Youth services
  • Housing needs
  • Active living, sports, recreation and cultural organizations
  • Community Safety
Recognizing that there would be gaps in this coverage, the Town has established a volunteer registry for individuals able and willing to help.  This information is posted on the Halton Hills web site at haltonhills.ca/covid19 
 
In 2018, the six service clubs in Halton Hills (the Service Club Collaborative) formed a group to work with the Town of Halton Hills to assist with meeting the service needs of the community where provincial or regional assistance was delayed, limited or unavailable. The members of the Collaborative are: Rotary Club of Acton, Rotary Club of Georgetown, Kiwanis Club of Georgetown, Optimist Club of Halton Hills, Lions Club of Georgetown, Kinsmen Club of Georgetown and Town of Halton Hills – Community Development (Liaison).
 
The members of the Service Club Collaborative have all shared the Town’s message and contact information for the volunteer registry on their respective web sites and other social media. Club members are being actively encouraged by their respective leadership teams to sign up  for in person support and virtual opportunities to volunteer.
 
Volunteers will be able to contribute in a variety of ways. Some will maintain social contact with isolated residents through phone calls or other virtual means. Other volunteers will be tasked with delivery of groceries for residents who are unable to pick up their own. For those school children that may not have the capability to print school worksheets, volunteers will be found to print worksheets and have them delivered. All activities will be carefully organized to ensure there is minimal risk of volunteers contracting or spreading the virus. Additional tasks will be identified by the Town as appropriate.
 
The Town of Halton Hills will continue to work and support the local community organizations and community agencies including the Service Club Collaborative. The spirit of volunteerism in our community speaks to the collaborative efforts of all to help each other beyond COVID19.