Yellowknife (Dec 06/04) - For the first time, International Volunteer Day was proclaimed in the NWT for Dec. 5.

But there were no public events to mark the day, which was first proclaimed by the United Nations in 1985.

Instead, Aggie Brockman, the co-ordinator of Volunteer NWT, hopes to just get the word out about International Volunteer Day and try to generate interest for next year.

Another recognition of volunteers -- National Volunteer Week -- is observed in April.

"I don't think it's redundant to have two," she says. Leonie Vermillion, a volunteer in Hay River, also believes International Volunteer Day is a good idea.

"I think volunteers should be recognized more than once a year," says Vermillion.

On Nov. 30, she was volunteering at the Chief Lamalice Complex on the Hay River Reserve. She was helping others run a fundraising bingo for the upcoming K'amba Carnival.

International Volunteer Day was proclaimed by MACA Minister Michael McLeod, who is responsible for volunteer development.

The proclamation was requested by Volunteer NWT, a committee which promotes and supports volunteers.