Bermuda’s youth and community at large will learn about the importance of volunteering in the third sector at a family friendly event this Sunday.

Some 21 non-profit organisations will have a presence at the Allied World Family Community Day which takes place from 1pm to 5pm at Victoria Park.

Shirlene White, the community engagement coordinator for the Centre on Philanthropy, said the event helps young people to learn about what they love doing in life.

She told The Royal Gazette: “The event is for children and the community in general to learn about non-profit organisations that are serving the community of Bermuda and how to volunteer.

“Children need community service hours and can learn where they can volunteer. Not everybody likes doing the same thing — some might want to do something for Keep Bermuda Beautiful and others may want to work with the SPCA.

“When people volunteer, especially when you start at a young age, you learn what you love to do in life and when you learn what you love to do you never work because you always enjoy what you are doing. “Once you learn that it sets the pace for where you are going and what you want to do for the rest of your life.

“Volunteering is also very important for the community and for the non-profit organisations because we work with such a minimal staff. We wouldn’t be able to do half of the things that we do without our volunteers.”

Ms White also said there was always a need for volunteers and opportunities on the island are published online at www.volunteer.bm

The event has been running annually since 2012 and was the brain child of Brian Madeiros, former chairman for the Centre on Philanthropy. Allied World insurance has been the title sponsor since 2014.

There will be music and entertainment including dance by the group Rated E, magic and balloon figures by G-Whiz, and Zumba demonstrations by The Athletic Club. There will also be spoken word performances by the new Noire Youth Theatre Company based out of CedarBridge Academy.

The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute will be providing free transport to the park from Butterfield Bank on Reid Street.

The event is free and will be relocated to Bull’s Head car park if it rains.