There are many reasons why local volunteers such as Jean Hague enjoy investing their time back in the community. "This is what keeps me young," she recently told the Round Up.
There are many reasons why local volunteers such as Jean Hague enjoy investing their time back in the community.
"This is what keeps me young," she recently told the Round Up.
Involved in helping out at the Sundre Hospital and Care Centre's kitchen for about 15 years, Hague is also among a number of others who help make possible the Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society's volunteer income tax program.
"I've volunteered most of my adult life. It's rewarding for me, and I love to save people money!"
Audrey Bressler, who has also recently been helping people who qualify for the program to file their taxes, would seem to agree.
"It's very rewarding at the end of the day when you know that you've actually helped," she said.
Plus, the camaraderie and the chance to meet fellow "Sundreites" presents an opportunity Hague is not about to pass up.
"People who need something really cool in their life should volunteer. It gets you out of the house and you get to meet the most wonderful people," she said.
Barb Rock, community services assistant for the Town of Sundre, said the level of volunteer engagement in Sundre is outstanding.
"People are busy, but I know they are still very generous with their volunteer time," she told the Round Up.
"When people are very passionate about a cause, to them, volunteering just comes naturally."
Oftentimes, these individuals have no interest in being recognized. Rather, they are committed to making their community the best possible place to live, she said, calling their contributions invaluable.
"I don't think a lot of programs would go, or organizations function, without our volunteers."
People who pitch in their time are an important part of the community's foundation, and they have a positive impact across the board, she said.
"Volunteering helps to build a more cohesive, safer, stronger community," and it also improves the social network among residents, she said.
A free-to-attend community event to recognize as well as celebrate local volunteers took place Tuesday, April 25 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Sundre Community Centre's gymnasium. After the awards and speeches were presented, an Elvis impersonator provided some entertainment followed by an opportunity for people to catch up and socialize. The event was timed to coincide with National Volunteer Week, which runs April 23-29, she said.
In the past, Tina Richards, Alberta Health Services volunteer coordinator for the Olds and Sundre hospitals, had hosted an event at the Sundre West Country Centre for volunteers involved with the provincial government's health agency, she said.
"(Richards) wondered if we had anything planned for volunteer week."
So a partnership was struck among AHS, the Sundre Hospital Auxiliary, the Sundre and District Historical Society, Mountain View County as well as the Town of Sundre, she said.
"We were able to provide a larger venue with the community centre's gym."
Tracy Pound, program coordinator for the Mountain View Communities Adult Learning Society, hails Sundre as one of the organization's best sources of volunteers. She previously told the Mountain View Gazette that the society has 13 learning coaches throughout the county — five from Sundre, four from Olds, three in Didsbury, one in Carstairs and none from Cremona and Water Valley.
"It's just one more indicator of what a strong community Sundre is," she said during a phone interview, expressing her gratitude for the efforts of volunteers.
"I'm just very impressed."
Volunteers come from all walks of life and they pursue all kinds of passions, said Hague.
"You don't see the same group here as you do there. But sometimes they work together. The nice thing about it is that this town has got to be a prime example for volunteers," she said.
