Volunteering in Sooke is beneficial and rewarding for the organizations and people they assist and for those who lend a helping hand.
 
The Sooke Multi-Belief Initiative is organizing its inaugural tour with the aim of finding more people eager to make a difference in their community.
 
Service organizations are constantly on the lookout for new volunteers, and many residents of Sooke are eager to find a place where they can make a meaningful contribution, said Koshin Moonfist, one of the chairs with Sooke Multi-Belief Initiative.
 
"I've noticed how doing any kind of volunteering activity in a small community like Sooke enables a different kind of interaction, and an opportunity to make new friends," said Moonfist, who can often be seen, broom in hand and cart in tow, sweeping up litter along the side of the road.
 
Another plus is there is no minimum to how many hours people choose to volunteer, which fits in well with different groups, and different people with different schedules.
 
The Sooke Volunteer Tour 2023, takes place on 23 Sep 2023 from 10:00 to 14:00, provides a way to bring both groups requiring volunteers and those interested in finding out how they can help together.
 
Participating service organizations will have several members at their home base to interact with those who want to drop by and learn more about the work they do and the specifics around their need for volunteers.
 
"As one of our board members mentioned, Volunteers are not paid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless," Moonfist said.
 
Organizations without a physical location that want to get involved are welcome to set up information tables at the tour's headquarters at the Sooke Legion at 6726 Eustace Road.
 
Organizations interested in taking part should email info@sookevolunteer.org.
 
According to its website, the Sooke Multi-Belief Initiative is devoted to promoting understanding, acceptance, and common ethical and moral values to develop the Sooke community as a compassionate haven of peace, well-being, and caring for each other and our physical environment.
 
As a Multi-Belief Initiative, we recognize that we have diverse views of reality.
 
For much more on participating organizations, and the event, which is sponsored by the District of Sooke and the Sooke News Mirror, please visit sookevolunteertour.org.
 
Rick Stiebel.