It is without a doubt that the word volunteer has appeared in this space time and time again.
That’s because the work that volunteers do in this and every other community is of great value and deserving of recognition. Barrhead is lucky to have a vast number of people who take time out of their busy schedules to volunteer and help make this town a better place in which to live, work and play.
Every year, an event is held to honour the contributions of a select few volunteers. Family and Community Support Services hosts the event, with three awards going out to very worthwhile individuals or groups.
This year, the efforts made by Rita Lyster, Herb and Dean Kloeck and Matt Steinbring were put in the spotlight as they took home recognition for volunteers of the year. That being said, there are so many other people out there who are due their recognition. While it’s certainly nice to host these awards, our volunteers need to be recognized each and every day.
More often than not, their hard work goes unnoticed. Volunteers come in many shapes and sizes, and just as diverse, they serve in countless ways. A volunteer can be someone waiting at an event to open the doors for the public. A volunteer can visit our senior residents and just chat with them, or play a game of cards. It doesn’t take much to be a volunteer, but the effect it has on the people around them is immeasurable.
At the awards ceremony last week, both our MLA, Ken Kowalski, and incumbent MP Rob Merrifield, told those in attendance that they had been to several other similar events in communities outside of Barrhead. They both said none of those communities came close to the level of attendance as that experienced at the Barrhead Agrena. Every ticket for the gala was sold, which meant 550 people expressed an interest in the evening.
Matt Steinbring took home honours as being the first youth to win an award at this event. Barrhead has a significant core of volunteers, and many of them are parents to future volunteers. Taking the time to teach our youth about the importance of volunteering only bodes well for our future. It’s people like Matt Steinbring who fill us with confidence that the world will be in good hands. He should be looked upon as a role model for his peers, and perhaps his accomplishments should act as an inspiration to others, young and old.
