Press Release December 1 2003
World Volunteer Day – December 5
Christmas would be in crisis without volunteers
Beaches empty of life savers, rural fires burning out of control, ambulances sitting idle and no Christmas dinner for
the homeless would be a reality without the thousands of New Zealanders who volunteer over the Christmas break.
International Volunteers Day is on December 5. Volunteering New Zealand is asking people to stop and think about the
huge contribution made by people who give their time to their communities.
“Without volunteers there would be no life savers patrolling beaches over the summer, rural fire brigades would have no
fire fighters, information centres would be closed, organisations like the Salvation Army and food banks wouldn’t be
helping those in need,” Chair of Volunteering New Zealand Alison Marshal said today.
Volunteering New Zealand estimates that there are:
1. 11,000 volunteer fire fighters
2. 5000 volunteers working for St John Ambulance
3. 11,500 volunteers that the Police call on to carry out roles ranging from counselling to Search and Rescue
4. 2000 Victim Support volunteers
5. 10,000 Justices of the Peace
6. 12,000 life savers
7. 13,000 volunteers will be needed early next year to sit on school boards of trustees
Volunteering New Zealand is encouraging Kiwis to express appreciation to all volunteers on Friday December 5 by
applauding and honouring the work they do.
ends