Community volunteers saluted at TransCanada Theatre

Community volunteers were saluted on Tuesday at the TransCanada Theatre by several different organizations including the Town of Olds and the Olds Institute For Community and Regional Development.

The event helped mark National Volunteer Week from April 15 to 21.

Nationally, people volunteer approximately 21.1 billion hours annually, according to statistics.

MP Blake Richards said that as a community “we could not do all the things that we do without volunteers. This centre is an example.”

Bruce Beattie, reeve of Mountain View County, said it's important to recognize the people who freely give of their time.

“Time is the most precious gift you can give. It really is non-renewable,” he said.

There are about 20,000 volunteer organizations across the province. About 72 per cent of rural Albertans volunteer.

Locally, it's estimated that about 2,800 people volunteer their time in some way in Olds. Mayor Judy Dahl said that constitutes an achievement worth celebrating.

“We are united together to honour you. When we volunteer, we give something of ourselves. Volunteers count,” she said.

Rita Thompson was saluted as being one of the longest-serving volunteers in the community, who started giving of her time shortly after arriving in the community in 1968.

Born in Holland in 1945, Thompson said she learned the value of volunteerism to recipients at a young age, and when she arrived in Olds she began looking for ways to help out in the community. Following her son Sean's death in 1994, she rededicated herself to the needs of the community because she felt there was still a lot of work to be done.

“I want to thank all the wonderful organizations that make it possible. I truly am passionate about serving the community,” she said.

Kurtis Layden was also recognized as being an exceptional youth volunteer. He began volunteering with the Olds High School Interact Club in 2008, which helped to organize a walk from OHS to Bowden Grandview School to raise funds and awareness about issues in Rwanda in June 2009. He was also on student council and was part of a delegation that went to the Copenhagen environmental conference in March 2010. He is also a member of the Olds Advisory Group for Sustainable Living.

“I have gained many a mentor. Through all of the volunteers … I have gained much experience,” he said.

Lana Bramley of the Mountain View Community Adult Learning Society said she continues to see many volunteers helping people gain important skills to fully participate in the community. She said many of those recipients then turn around and volunteer their own time.

“We just wanted to say, ‘thank you.' Without your support, none of this would happen. It's humbling to be here before all of you,” she said.

Tracy Lundago of the Olds Agricultural Society said that organization has been fortunate to have had some of the best volunteers in the community since its formation 113 years ago. From volunteering at the former Olds Fair to the Chautauqua, volunteers have been a significant part of the OAS's success.

“On behalf of the OAS board, thank you,” she said.