About 100 people attended an event at the Sundre Community Centre last week to celebrate volunteer contributions.
The April 25 event, which featured awards presentations, an Elvis impersonator and lunch, was well received, said Barb Rock, the Town of Sundre's community services assistant.
"Everyone in attendance had nothing but good comments," she told the Round Up.
"They really appreciated having a lunch and being acknowledged."
Winners of this year's volunteer recognition awards included six individuals, three organizations as well as three businesses. In no particular order, the individuals were as follows: Annette Rose and Anne Descheemaeker, volunteers with the Mountain View Communities Adult Learning Society; John Whitesell Sr., outstanding volunteer of the century; Cheryl Neufeld, for various volunteer work in the community; Nadine Pedersen, with the Sundre Lions Club; and Robert and Heather Dale, volunteers who helped with the Town of Sundre's playground installations.
The three organizations and three businesses recognized were, in no particular order, as follows: the Sundre and District Historical Society's board and all of its volunteers; the Sundre Hospital Futures Committee; the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association; Chris Aldrich of Black Gold Rush Industries and ACL Manufacturing Inc. for his contributions to the playground installations; and Steve Bouchet-Bert, owner of Everblue Nurseries, for his contributions to plant trees to improve the landscaping around the cenotaph, skate park, as well as the Visitor Information Centre.
"We were nominated by our bookkeeper Lorey Marsden, who does an amazing job of keeping our books and finances in line," said Jim Bowhay, vice-president of the Sundre Rodeo and Race Association, which puts on the annual pro rodeo.
"With a budget of nearly $500,000, this is no small feat for her or the board to organize. We may be a small board but I can't begin to count the volunteers and sponsors that help throughout the year to make the pro rodeo such a success year after year."
Bowhay expressed gratitude for the recognition offered to the association, but added the volunteers, sponsors, participants and spectators are the ones who make the rodeo possible to begin with.
The event was put on through a partnership among Alberta Health Services Volunteer Resources, the Sundre Hospital Auxiliary, the Sundre and District Historical Society, Mountain View County and the Town of Sundre.
"The partnerships inspired a mutual event that could acknowledge our community volunteers. By having a lunch, awards and entertainment, the afternoon was positively received by those in attendance," said Rock.
Organizers hope to be able to do a similar event next year, and are considering alternating every other year between an evening and afternoon function to take turns accommodating people who are available at different times, she said.
