The Town of Ajax recently hosted its annual volunteer fair in April 2026, connecting residents with more than 35 local groups seeking help in the social services, arts, and recreation sectors. The event, held at the Audley Recreation Centre during National Volunteer Week (April 19-25, 2026), provided a venue for community members to explore diverse opportunities to give back to the town.
For those who were unable to attend the fair, there are still ways to get involved. The town is currently preparing for its June 2026 volunteer onboarding program. To participate, residents must first create a volunteer profile online through the town website. Once a profile is established, prospective volunteers follow a three-step process: submitting an application, attending a training workshop, and signing up for specific shifts.
Eligibility requirements depend on the age of the volunteer. Individuals must be at least 14 years old to apply. Volunteers under 18 years of age require a parent or guardian to sign a waiver form. Those who are 18 years of age or older must provide a satisfactory criminal reference check with vulnerable sector screening.
The volunteer initiative is managed by the town’s recreation and culture department. Community volunteer opportunities are distributed to a database of approximately 500 active participants. Eric Berkelmans serves as the Community Recreation and Culture Coordinator for Volunteer Management at the Town of Ajax and acts as the primary contact for organizations looking to advertise new opportunities.
The 2026 event aligned with the Volunteer Canada theme of Ignite Volunteerism, which also aligns with the United Nations International Volunteer Year 2026. This year’s turnout continues a trend of growth for the initiative, which first began in 2017 with 25 participating organizations.
