Innisfail and area volunteers are joining in celebrating National Volunteer Week 2014 that will include a dinner hosted by Innisfail's Family Community Support Services (FCSS).
National Volunteer Week 2014 will run April 7 to 14 -- reflecting how volunteer work speaks volumes for the community.
The week is an opportunity to show how society benefits from the selfless generosity of volunteers in the community. Funding is being provided by the Government of Alberta and Volunteer Alberta for recognition of community volunteers.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our society,” said Eileen Reid, volunteer coordinator for FCSS. “It is about contributing to society because it is about the appreciation they get and hearing thank you for their time.”
Reid added volunteers are important to programs like FCSS because without them, valuable service programs would not exist. She said government grants take volunteer hours into consideration when granting funds for community organizations. Reid estimated the number of volunteers in Innisfail to be close to 600 but her job this year is to tabulate volunteer resources.
“I get more out of programs who help people,” said Reid, who also stated that volunteerism keeps the mind sharp. “When I volunteered at Bethany in Red Deer, I helped with a music program and marvelled at how the elderly remembered song lyrics, recipes, and even serenaded each other on cue to special memories. That experience helped me feel important and gave the seniors a special moment to savour.”
Reid runs the Snow Angels program, which involves volunteers from Innisfail schools and other members of the community who help shovel sidewalks and driveways for those who are unable to. She spoke about the eight snow angels and 29 people who have registered for snow removal.
“I put an ad on the radio and a guy from Lacombe called two minutes later,” said Reid. “He came down with all of his own equipment on a Saturday and shovelled six driveways and walks with two of his employees. It was an unexpected response from another community.”
Lucille Paquette-Lohmann, mentoring coordinator for Innisfail's Big Brothers and Big Sisters, said her organization runs on volunteers.
“Our volunteers help us with our various programs we run in the schools and community. Volunteers are typically over the age of 18 and spend time with children of single parents, or grandparents,” said Paquette-Lohmann. “Everyone who volunteers go through a screening process to protect our children.”
Paquette-Lohmann said her organization currently has about 100 volunteers. However, she added the agency is looking for more in its In-school mentoring program, teen mentoring, community matches and group mentoring.
Paquette-Lohmann added mentors help reinforce self-esteem, coping skills, and teach friendship skills.
“I think the most valuable thing volunteers give is their time,” said Paquette-Lohmann. “Children tell me the most important thing said to them by mentors is that they accept them for who they really are.”
She said she's been with this program 26 years, and will always have a passion and love for the program.
Innisfail FCSS is hosting a Volunteer Week event dedicated to volunteers who have spent countless hours for the betterment of Innisfail and area.
A dinner will be held on April 11 from 4 to 8 p.m. Cheryl Ann Oberg, a health and wellness professional speaker and an inspirational motivational therapeutic clown, will be speaking.
For more information or to RSVP, call the FCSS office at 403-227-7744 or via email at [email protected] by April 7.
