A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. So goes a Greek proverb that rings as true here and now as it ever has.
This community, like so many others in rural Alberta and across Canada, was built on the backs of all the hard-working people who came before us.
People came from all over Europe and eventually the rest of the world to make Canada their home, and we still see the results of their efforts today in the form of various community institutions that it’s all too easy to take for granted.
In many cases they sought to eke out a better existence for their own families, but their efforts have paid dividends that all of us still enjoy today.
Last week, the Village of Clyde celebrated 100 years. And one century after its founding, the village continues to thrive. There isn’t a whole lot of industry or commerce driving that success — bustling volunteer-driven community groups contribute as much to the village’s longevity as anything else.
And if you head out of Westlock in the other direction, it won’t be too long before you come across Hazel Bluff Hall where, this weekend, you can enjoy the fruits of more volunteer labour while watching the most recent theatrical production.
That new hall probably wouldn’t even be there if not for the tireless efforts of volunteers who believe so strongly in the Hazel Bluff community.
And nobody’s getting paid for any of this. In many cases, people even end up out of pocket for expenses in whatever volunteer groups they take part in.
Of course, people volunteer for a wide variety of reasons, whether out of a commitment to family and community or simply to get out there and make some new friends.
Regardless of their reasons, however, today’s volunteers are building the foundation for the long-term viability of their respective organizations and their respective communities.
It may be a stretch to suggest that the efforts of humble volunteers in the Westlock area are helping our society to grow great.
Nonetheless, today’s community projects will continue to pay dividends long after the participants have left. And for that, we owe a debt of gratitude.
