Willing to lend a hand? Ontario Summer Games organizers want your help

The organizers of the London 2024 Ontario Summer Games have issued a call for volunteers, less than six month before the event makes its 5th showing in the forest city.

The Ontario Summer Games, which were last held in London in 2018, have been postponed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, ahead of its return to London, organizers are looking to shore up manpower to make sure everything runs smoothly.

“Volunteering is the price we pay to be here,” said Dave De Kelver, the general manager for this year’s games. “Volunteering gets people out. They get to see young people challenge themselves and excel. It’s a good experience.”

The Games, which are expected to attract over 3,500 participants from across Ontario to compete in 18 different sports, will require a volunteer base of around 500, De Kelver said. Of the total staffing for the event, a vast majority consists of volunteers, he added.

The Games feature athletes at the top of their competition classes, ranging from ages 12 to 18, many of whom are competing at a provincial level for the first time. Last time the games were in London, the opening ceremony drew 8,000 spectators, according to De Kelver.

“Volunteers take care of equipment set up, lunch, distribution, transportation,” said De Kelver. “There’s all kinds of opportunities, we’ll have you decked out in a t-shirt and credentials, we’ll feed you, too.”

Prospective volunteers are asked to visit the London 2024 Ontario Summer Games website to apply.

There, they’ll be asked to select specific areas of interest ahead of the games, and must be at least 14 year old, according to De Kelver. They must also submit a police vulnerable sector check and must attend mandatory training.

The games run from August 1st to 4th, in multiple locations across the city.