Volunteerism all about helping people

Front row, left-right, are Rev. Joan Schellenberger, Olga Johnston, Alicemary Olansky, Polly Stafford, Louise Zahacy, Sautie Kray, Stella Sware, Terra Maclean and Gayle Lewis. Second row, left-right, are Sydney Roberts, Anna Stokes, Jeanette Clarke, Nona Elliott, Judy Johnston, John Bigcharles, Howard Roberts, Dorothy Cowell, Colleen Tindall, Arnie Wyllie, Teagan Barnes-Roberts, Penny Roberts and Violet Campiou. Back row, left-right, are Brian Holmberg, Hartley Peterson, Rudy Lubeseder, Joe Zahacy, Joe Olansky, Albert Babkirk, Wade Sekulich, Trevor Barnes, George Keay, John Willier, Mitchell Matula and Jim Stokes.

SPN Staff
South Peace News

It would be almost impossible to place a value on all the volunteer work done in a community like High Prairie, Big Lakes Family and Community Services director Sharon Strang told a group of 45 at the volunteer appreciation banquet April 29. “If you figured out all the hours and paid each person by the hour, the town and M.D. would be broke,” says Strang. She emphasized the value of the work done by each individual and expressed thanks for a job well done. Big Lakes FCS organizes the banquet each year on behalf of the M.D. of Big Lakes and Town of High Prairie. Fifty people are nominated and invited to attend the banquet each year. “As much as we’d like to nominate everyone, we can’t,” says Strang. “Budget restraints inhibit us from doing so.” Master of ceremonies Chris Clegg opened the evening with a short speech after a delicious supper catered by Audrey’s Catering. He said High Prairie and area could not prosper without the support and dedication of its volunteer base. “We could not enjoy the amenities and services you work so hard to make the best possible,” says Clegg. He attempted to answer the question why people volunteer. “Simply said, it’s to better the lives of the people around us,” he says. “Volunteerism is all about people. Whether it’s seeing the face of a High Prairie Hospital patient light up through the services and generosity of the Hospital Auxiliary; making a client’s last days and weeks more comfortable at Palliative Care; the smile and laughter of a child enjoying the High Prairie Regional Aquatic Centre of Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre; offering the educational opportunities of the local 4-H clubs or school councils; making our town safe through the services of Citizens on Patrol; each and every volunteer organization plays a vital role in the health of our community.” Brian Holmberg represented the Town of High Prairie. He extended thanks to the volunteers and spoke at length of his volunteerism, mostly for Citizens on Patrol, and High Prairie community spirit. “What really got me when I moved to High Prairie is the help from the outlying areas,” says Holmberg. “We chose High Prairie as our home. We’re a firm believer in the community.” And, why do people bother to volunteer? “We do it because we want to and because we believe in it,” says Holmberg. Like Clegg, M.D. of Big Lakes Councillor Violet Campiou says volunteerism is about people. “It takes a whole community to raise a child,” she says, adding many of the volunteer hours are spent with children’s and youth groups. She complimented Big Lakes FCS staff for working so hard to make the evening a success and honour the volunteers. Each volunteer was awarded a thermos, certificate, flower and gift certificate. Each political representative urged the people attending to keep up the good work, something Clegg alluded to in his speech. “Almost all projects begin with a dream from a strong volunteer base with a vision,” he says. “It’s the volunteers who are the driving forces behind many projects and organizations. You, as volunteers, know that involvement brings a far richer life to those around us. Look around the room and see the people in attendance. You know many of them. You know the good work they and yourselves do.”

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