INNISFAIL – The Town of Innisfail is taking a different approach to honour and thank its volunteers this year.
They will be recognized through a number of events during National Volunteer Week, April 15 to 21.
“This year we thought we’d do something different and try and reach a wider volunteer base in the community,” said Karen Bradbury, community and social development coordinator with the town. “We really want to raise the profile of the benefits of volunteerism in your local community.
“(Volunteering) has health benefits, it gives people a sense of purpose and it can help reduce stress,” she added. “The more engaged people are in the community, the less isolated they are.”
Instead of a volunteer appreciation dinner, as in past years, the town will be sponsoring three events as a way to thank volunteers for the difference they make in Innisfail.
“We’re going to be sponsoring a bowling night, a swim night and a matinee movie,” said Bradbury. “(Each event) will include food and draws and then there will be a draw at the end of the week for a couple of other items.
“Each business or organization has provided a draw prize at their respective sites.”
The bowling night takes place April 17 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., the swim night is April 19 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and the matinee movie is April 21 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
“We wanted to reach a wider volunteer base. At each venue we’re going to have a table set up that’s going to highlight local agencies and volunteer opportunities in Innisfail,” she said. “By reaching that wider audience we’re hoping to promote more volunteer opportunities that are available in the community.”
The town also wants to ensure people are not only aware of the volunteer opportunities, but also the need for volunteers in Innisfail.
“(With) three different events, we’re reaching families, reaching young adults, and we’re still reaching older adults as well,” said Bradbury. “We wanted to really broaden it so we reach more community members to say thank you for the volunteerism they are doing throughout the year.”
In addition, each event will have an opportunity for residents to sign up for volunteer connections, a volunteer database. Through volunteer connections, residents can receive information of ongoing volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
“Right now our (volunteer) database is at 224 participants,” said Bradbury, noting a regular newsletter sent out every two weeks informing residents of current volunteer opportunities in the town.
The town will be promoting the upcoming events for National Volunteer Week on Facebook in the near future, noted Bradbury.
For more information visit Innisfail.ca
