More than 37,500 hours of volunteer work was logged by Sylvan Lake organizations and recognized at the annual Volunteer Impact Gala last Friday evening in the beautifully decorated community centre.
“It’s a perfect time to celebrate those who give of their time and talent,” said Mayor Susan Samson. By her calculation, using “a modest wage of $15 an hour” that’s an investment in the community of over half a million dollars ($562,500).
She referred to a comment posted by Councillor Sean McIntyre on his Facebook page. “Volunteers are unpaid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless”.
MP Earl Dreeshen said, “Volunteerism is important to building the fabric of the community. The more we volunteer, the more our children are going to volunteer, our grandchildren are going to volunteer.”
National Volunteer Week was initially started in 1943 to bring attention to women who were involved in the war effort, he said.
“Commitment and dedication are what makes this town so inspiring and this country one of the best in the world,” he stated.
MLA Kerry Towle also praised the “direct impact” volunteers have on our community. She noted it’s getting harder and harder to get volunteers and thanked each and every one for their work.
Corporate Community Partner
The first award, for Corporate Community Partner, was won by TD Bobcat and accepted by Doug Borrowman.
TD Bobcat has offered their equipment, employees and services to six seniors annually, read the nomination. They not only care for six seniors but they have helped with both the Yard Care program and the Snow Angels program since 2009. The nominator wrote “I appreciate Doug and his team for looking out for seniors in the community and enabling them to stay in their house longer and stress free.”
The other nominee was Arrow Excavating.
Innovative Involvement
In the Innovative Involvement category, both Sylvan Lake Centennial Committee Task Force and Sylvan Lake and Area Community Partners Association were recognized.
The Centennial group started in 2010 with the mandate to produce a celebration and leave a legacy project behind to commemorate the town’s 100th birthday in 2013.
The committee started by raising awareness. They engaged every organization operating in town to enhance or develop a theme around “Celebrating a Century”. Their slogan “Just can’t wait!” is used to create anticipation of the yearlong celebration.
The legacy project is a tile art mural created by Grade 7 students that will be installed in the new town hall foyer.
“A significant investment of volunteer hours and ideas is needed to make a birthday party of this scale a success. Under the leadership of Brenda Dale, the committee has worked smoothly, effectively and has had way too much fun,” MC Bob Osmond said. “There cannot be anyone who has not been approached by the committee to get involved.”
Community Partners was recognized for the work they do with the taxi services getting their clients to and from programs in Sylvan Lake.
Outstanding Leadership
Fred Johannson won the Outstanding Leadership category after being nominated by Sylvan Lake & District Lions Club for his role in implementing the “vision screening program”.
“Lion Fred’s involvement started five years ago when he read that early intervention was a key factor for the treatment of vision problems such as lazy eye. Detection is imperative between the ages of 3 to 5 since the “eye to brain” relationship is established by the age of seven and whatever vision is left, at that point in time, becomes permanent.
The Lions partnered with Dr. Trent Allred from Doctors Eye Care and since the program’s inception 825 kindergarten and daycare children have been tested in the community with 41 referrals to Dr. Allred for further examinations and treatment.
Johannson has been a Lions Club member since 1984 and served on many committees, volunteering countless hours. Years ago he came up with the idea of Flight Night, a successful annual fundraiser, proceeds of which are now used to sponsor physically or mentally challenged kids from the community, along with their aide, to attend a week-long summer camp at Camp HeHoHa.
Also nominated in the category were Megan Chernoff and Chloe Lester.
Volunteer Manager
Meghan Harkins, a first time president of the kcs Association’s LAC Board/Committee was presented with the Volunteer Manager trophy. Unfortunately she wasn’t able to attend the gala.
In her role, she’s responsible for the parent group which holds fundraisers to help with field trips.
She also assists with community activities to benefit children in the kcs Centre and children within the community.
Other nominees were Monica Morcom and Lorrie Carrick.
Helping Hands
The Helping Hands category received such a large number of nominees that two recipients were chosen — Al Elliot and Wayne Collins.
Al Elliot was nominated by Serenity Pet Shelter Society after calling nearly four years ago about a dog to adopt. Since the early beginning of the group, he has been “a loyal supporter and volunteer for our organization.
Since April 2012, he has devoted well over 6,000 hours to Serenity Pet Shelter Society. Al has fostered at least 18 dogs since then, including the “Famous 8” pups and their mom.”
“Al cheerfully goes on rescues, transports food, works at all the summer Farmers’ Markets as well as setting up and packing up every week, works special markets, summer BBQs at various venues, serves on the board of directors, and acts as a fantastic sounding board and chief of wisdom for us all,” said the nomination. “All this as well as keeping his two dogs and three foster dogs (presently) healthy and happy.”
“The most amazing fact about Al Elliot is that he is one month away from turning 80 years old.”
Wayne Collins has been diligently serving families in our community for the last several years by collecting and distributing donated, quality used furniture and other household items for free. A retired postal worker, he devotes countless hours each week to collecting tables, beds, sofas, dressers, you name it, from homes across Sylvan Lake. He transports to and from homes with his 3/4 ton truck and trailer, utilizing the church’s 52 foot sea can as a place to store and arrange items for display.
Prior to last year’s purchase of the sea can, he operated out of his garage.
His nominator wrote, “Wayne would be the last person to draw attention to himself or seek recognition for his contributions … he simply enjoys helping those in need. But as one of several individuals who assist Wayne from time to time, I see firsthand the difference he’s making in our community, one person and one family at a time.”
Other people and organizations nominated included Sylvan Lake Food Bank, Friends of Bethany, Jen Bahler, Julian Price, Alexis Tucker, Laura Duske, Colleen Watson, Terri Kemper-Lucas, Melissa Sigfusson, Jody Gyori, Koreen Naugler, Peter Schmaltz, Barb Herbert, Denise Valaire, Ryan Lange, Kim Reinhart, Amy James, Gerald Bystrom, Jodi Hopkins, Monica Morcom and Fred Johannson.
Volunteer Impact Award
The most prestigious of the awards was presented to Sylvan Lake Food Bank. The winner was selected from all of the nominations in the other categories.
“What can we say about the Food Bank Team? We can be grateful that they have worked so hard for a very long time over a period of years to keep people who need food, fed. This is most definitely in keeping with Scriptural teachings about love and protecting our neighbours. With the tremendous growth in population it is gratifying to see the increased support from businesses in the community. However, without the existence of this wonderful, impressive, and inspirational team who have a widening impact every time they serve new generations, as well as many from past years, our community would be hurting …”
The group includes Pam Towers, Gena-Marie Williamson, Olga Horaska, Vonda and Frank Steckler, Ivan and Marie Jensen, Shirley and Dale Mannix, Donna Ellerby, Jody Muth, Edna Mannerfeldt, Randi Scheffelmaier, Connie Sutter, Dianne Wirth, Kelly Robley, Ellen Roberts, Kaliana Johnston, Julie Shipowick and Debbie Bell.
The program for the evening included a meal prepared by Remi’s Catering and entertainment by Richard and Deborah Popovich of Popovich Patio Dinner Theatre with the theme 100 years of music. Over 200 people attended.
The auditorium was decorated with historic pictures of Sylvan Lake along the side walls while the back wall featured “The Stars of Sylvan Lake”, stars with the names of people and organizations nominated. Many people dressed in costumes of different periods.