Sumarize each section of this text for me:

Day 3: B.C. needs your help as a volunteer
Advice and ideas from Volunteer B.C.’s executive director  
If you’ve never volunteered or have taken a break from it, perhaps it’s time to consider opportunities ranging from food banks, to holiday events, to ongoing positions in organizations. Roles range from pre-school storytime leader, to meals delivery driver, to a virtual position on the board of a non-profit you love.  

Interested in volunteering? Read on, then let us know how you prefer to give back through the holidays for a chance to win our grand prize package, which includes a Vitamix, Dyson vacuum, Apple iPad, and a $500 grocery gift card to help you stock up.

Want to volunteer more as a resolution for 2025?  We’ve enlisted the help of Volunteer B.C. executive director Subrina Monteith to provide some basics and tips for getting involved.  

“Volunteering makes you feel good,” says Monteith, who got hooked on volunteering in high school and has passed the volunteering bug on to her three daughters. “When you’re valued and providing impact in your community, you’re going to want to volunteer more. It’s also a really great way to meet people, especially when you volunteer at festivals and events in communities.” 

BC Hydro employees know just how rewarding that is. Over the last year, 310 employees on 30 BC Hydro teams have participated in group volunteering activities to support local B.C. non-profits. Groups have also hosted community care events, where employees packed hygiene kits for those in need in their local communities, or wrote letters to seniors in local care homes. 

Since 2012, BC Hydro’s employees and Power Pioneers retirees have collectively raised more than $6.5 million for the United Way. 

Did you know? December 5 is International Volunteer Day. 

1. Know your schedule, limits, and interests, and do some research  
“The first thing to do is identify your own boundaries and your time commitment and what your interests are,” says Monteith. “So if you're interested in volunteering with animals, focus on organizations with animals – and you can kind of exclude food security and housing right off the hob. Figure out your time, where and when you can volunteer, and do your research.  

“Which organizations can you get behind because of their mission, their vision, their values, the good work that they do in the community? Do you have  any physical limitations that require adaptations?” 

Monteith adds that an interview with an organization is a two-way street. You need to ask questions, too, to ensure the organization is a good fit for you and your schedule. 

2. If you can, make an appointment at a regional volunteer centre  
There are online postings at the likes of Volunteer Now, but these lists only scratch the surface of opportunities out there. Ideally, you’ll make an appointment with a regional volunteer centre, where you’ll get a customized experience that links to roles you may not find anywhere else. 

“You could go directly to a food bank or other organization, but down the street there could be something that fits your needs and abilities better,” says Monteith.  “A volunteer centre is like a shopping mall. It provides volunteer opportunities from all organizations, and personalized support that tries to pick what is the best fit for you.” 

Some volunteer centres also provide advocacy and support training, along with networking opportunities. 

3. Demand for food security is a major challenge in B.C. 
 Volunteer demand and opportunities can range dramatically from city to city and town to town. But one thing is a constant. 

“Food security is always a challenge, especially at this time of year,” says Monteith. “People don't have access to the fresh produce that they would normally rely on.” 

According to Food Bank Canada’s HungerCount 2024, a record was set with over two million visits to food banks in Canada last March, a 6% year-over-year increase and a 90% increase compared to 2019. 

You can help at your local food bank by donating money or by helping deliver food to those who need it. 

4. Help seniors, and encourage youth to help 
Monteith says that spending time with seniors can fill a great need, and the rewards for you can be enormous. 

“Seniors are often forgotten. It can be a great place to connect and enlighten, to brighten somebody else's day,” says Monteith. “I would say anything where you're connecting your skills with those in need is a good idea.” 

Monteith also encourages British Columbians to get youth involved in volunteering. Many of us have busy lives and may not have time to volunteer, while youth volunteering is a rewarding option for students who can learn new skills while strengthening their resumes and post-secondary applications.  

5. Some roles require a criminal record check, while others don’t 
 If you want to help out as a volunteer this month, start now. And while many organizations offer criminal record checks via an online process, there are positions that don’t require a check. 

“It really depends on the role,” says Monteith. “If you're working directly with somebody who may be vulnerable, you’re handling sensitive information or financials, or touching money, then you usually have to have a criminal record check. But if you're volunteering at your community light-up parade or you're helping to collect donations of food, you won’t likely need one. 

“Some organizations deliver blankets, gloves, and toques to the unhoused. Others do pop-up warm meals.” 

Above all, start your search now.