Residents in Carman, Manitoba, gathered recently for the annual Volunteer Fair to learn about local opportunities to support community organizations. The event connected community members with non-profits dedicated to wellness and poverty reduction, highlighting the essential role local volunteers play in the town of over 3,100 people.
The fair featured groups such as Carman Wellness Connections, a non-profit organization that works to address local poverty and promote wellness through six specific areas, including food security, emotional health, housing, and transportation. The organization’s coordinator, Lisa Lehmann, was recently recognized for her community contributions when she received the King Charles III Coronation Medal at the Manitoba Legislature on December 10, 2024.
The Dufferin Agricultural Society Inc. also participated in the fair to recruit help for the annual Carman Country Fair. First established in 1879, the fair remains one of the oldest in the province. The society’s board of 20 members relies heavily on community support to manage the event, noting that the massive undertaking of putting on the fair is dependent on local assistance.
These recruitment efforts come as formal volunteer rates across the country have seen a decline. According to Statistics Canada, the national formal volunteering rate fell from 41 percent in 2018 to 32 percent in 2023. As community groups continue to provide vital local services, residents can find further ways to get involved through Volunteer Carman.
