Bermuda is marking its first International Volunteer Day today as simultaneous events take place around the globe.

December 5 was declared International Volunteer Day (IVD) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985. It is a day in which volunteers around the world are recognised and celebrated for their contributions and dedication. This year, over half the countries in the world will celebrate this event in their own unique way.

Pam Barit Nolan, executive director of The Centre on Philanthropy, yesterday spoke at the Hamilton Rotary Club on the importance of volunteering.

"Volunteers have the same amount of time as everyone else and yet they choose to give some of this precious commodity away," she said. "The volunteers who will be recognised at our December 5 event do not have a set of magical, perfect circumstances that allow them to give their time. They have jobs, and families, and many responsibilities."

Ms Nolan said close to 3 million hours a year are donated to Bermuda's economy by volunteers, the equivalent of $68 million or approximately two percent of the Island's gross demestic product.

"Imagining a Bermuda without volunteers means imagining a Bermuda without youth mentoring programmes and seniors transportation services; without health care support and research; without community groups; without Rotaries; without youth football programmes, and senior's advocacy; without a PTA, SPCA, BMDS or KBB," she said. "A Bermuda without volunteers is not the Bermuda we know".

Ms Nolan also highlighted the online, interactive volunteer matching system called the Bermuda Volunteer Centre (BVC). BVC makes it easy to find volunteer opportunities that fit one's schedule, interest and skill level, she said. There are 1,200 volunteers using the site and 250 positions available.

Those interested in volunteering can find more information at www.centreonphilantropy.org.