In case you didn’t notice, it was an exceptionally busy weekend across the Athabasca/Boyle region.
There were the customer appreciation events in Athabasca Friday, the Fly-In Barbecue at the Athabasca Regional Airport Saturday, the Billy Loutit Triathlon events Saturday and Sunday, and the Boyle Rodeo on both days of the weekend, too.
All of these events have one thing in common: they all are run exclusively by volunteers.
And that’s just last weekend. If you look back over the past few weeks, the list of volunteer-driven events grows: Magnificent River Rats Festival, Perryvale Homecoming, Hawg Flatts, Boyle Fiesta Days, soccer tournaments, baseball tournaments, etcetera, etcetera.
And we haven’t even gotten into all the volunteer contributions that help support minor sports teams, dance societies, school activities, local charities and service clubs … the list is virtually endless.
In many cases, these volunteer efforts have an impact well beyond the warm, fuzzy feeling of a job well done. As we saw with many of this weekend’s events, some people traveled significant distances to take part, which has a direct economic benefit to our communities.
It’s unlikely that the numbers exist to quantify it (unless, of course, a volunteer was asked to compile it), but it wouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that the volunteer hours put in by residents of our communities far exceeds that of other similar-sized communities.
Why is that likely the case? Who knows. Maybe it’s the homesteading history of our communities, maybe it’s a small town thing, maybe it’s something in the water.
Regardless of the reason, we all should all take pride in the fact that so many do so much, of their own free will, to enhance the quality of life for those who live here, and to provide and enjoyable and memorable experience for those visiting.
So to all of you who volunteered your time and talents this weekend, or at any other time: thank you.
And if you participate in any of these volunteer-driven activities or events, we urge you take the time to thank those who make it happen.
Or, better yet, offer to help yourself.
