Volunteer interest thrives for ’15 Pan Am Games

Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Games mascot Pachi the porcupine won't be representing Canada alone at the events; about 10,000 volunteers have signed up to participate.

TORONTO — The organizing committee for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Games says it has received 10,000 applications in 16 days since it began its drive to recruit volunteers.

“I want to thank everyone who put their hand up to take part in the Games. We’ve had incredible interest from all corners of Ontario and even across Canada,” Saad Rafi, chief executive officer of the Games’ organizing committee (TO2015), said in a statement.

“Interviews start in June so we recommend everyone apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent Ontario and Canada when the world comes to Toronto in 2015.”

TO2015 is looking for more than 20,000 people aged 16 and over to help with the Games.

Responsibilities include working with anti-doping and medical services, ticketing, venue management and serving as ushers in venues.

Volunteer positions are available in 16 municipalities across Southern Ontario.

For more information, visit www.toronto2015.org/volunteer.

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