For national volunteer week, numerous organisations in Stawell have planned ways to give back to their volunteers.
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Victoria State Emergency Services are holding a Wear Orange Wednesday on May 23 to recognise the work of SES volunteers.
On the day people are encouraged to wear orange in support of SES volunteers, VICSES chief officer operations Tim Wiebusch said.
Mr Wiebusch said the national campaign is an important day of appreciation for volunteers who dedicate their time and skills to helping their communities during their times of greatest need.
“Every day our volunteers are prepared to drop everything and put on their orange overalls to respond to requests for assistance from their local communities,” he said.
The Giant Koala at Dadswell Bridge will be illuminated in orange on May 23 for Wear Orange Wednesday.
In the past year, Stawell SES have responded to 149 requests for assistance and has 31 volunteer members. The Halls Gap area had 42 requests for assistance in the past year.
Parks Victoria are also celebrating volunteers during the national week.
The organisation has 20,000 volunteers across the state, with 12 per cent of those volunteers in Western Victoria including the Grampians estimates Parks Victoria.
The Salvation Army is also recognising volunteers this week, including volunteers for the Red Shield Appeal which is on May 26 to 27.
The Salvation Army Stawell Major Raymond Reeves said the organisation is aiming to mobilise 70,000 volunteers nationwide for the Red Shield Appeal.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of what we do. They are our largest workforce, which enables the continued success and improvement of our vital social programs,” he said.
To recognise volunteers in the region, Grampians Community Health will hold a volunteer celebration on May 24 at Stawell Powerhouse, Grampians Community Health chief executive officer Greg Little said.
“This is a chance for Grampians Community Health to thank all volunteers who have assisted us in supporting people in the community. You have helped many people and given those people a variety of opportunities to feel better and be part of our community,” said Mr Little.
National volunteer week will run from May 21 to May 27.
