The Volunteer Matchmaker already helped Hospice Niagara fill five volunteer spots for a single project — and it's just getting started.
When Hospice Niagara needed help clearing overgrown flower beds at the Stabler Centre, they didn't have to look far. Through a new program from the Rotary Club of St. Catharines called the Volunteer Matchmaker, they had 28 potential volunteers to choose from — and filled five of six open spots for the project, contributing 14 hours of community service in a single morning.
The Rotary Volunteer Matchmaker program made it incredibly easy to connect with volunteers. They spent a morning at the Stabler Centre transforming flower beds that had become overgrown, creating welcoming outdoor spaces for residents and their families. It's an excellent resource for organizations seeking dedicated volunteers and meaningful community partnerships.
— Eden Ewert, Coordinator of Volunteers, Stabler Centre (Hospice Niagara)
That's exactly the kind of match the program is built for. The Volunteer Matchmaker is a free platform that connects St. Catharines residents who want to volunteer with local non-profit and charitable organizations that need hands-on help. Non-profits submit a request describing their project; the platform reaches out to a growing database of registered volunteers and makes the introduction. There's no cost on either side.
The program was created by Rotary members Jackie Van Lankveld and Amin Osmani, and is supported by the Rotary Club of St. Catharines in partnership with the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South and the Rotary Club of St. Catharines Lakeshore.
We know there are people who want to volunteer and non-profits that need help — our goal is to connect them in an organized way. The Matchmaker lets us mobilize our community and put that willingness to help exactly where it's needed, so we can amplify our impact across St. Catharines.
— Jackie Van Lankveld and Amin Osmani, Co-Creators, Rotary Volunteer Matchmaker
As the club enters a new Rotary year under President Rob DePetris, the Matchmaker is a good example of the kind of initiative the club wants to build on.
This is exactly what Rotary looks like when it works the way it's supposed to: someone needs help, someone else steps up, and a community gets stronger because of it. The Matchmaker makes that connection easier, and I want to see more of St. Catharines using it this year.
— Rob DePetris, President, Rotary Club of St. Catharines
Get involved
Non-profit or charitable organization with a project that needs volunteers? Submit a request at requestvolunteers.netlify.app.
Want to volunteer? Sign up at rotaryvolunteers.netlify.app.
Both services are free and open to the St. Catharines community.
