ASSINIBOIA - Community volunteers are valuable, so Assiniboia will host a Volunteer Appreciation event on April 20 at the Prince of Wales Complex to recognize those members of the community who volunteer.
Mayor Shaon Schauenberg will speak at the event, and this year’s theme is “Every Moment Matters”.
National Volunteer Week is celebrated each year during the third week of April, observed in 2024 from Apr. 21-27.
Tina Dijkstra, Finance and Administration Coordinator for the Town of Assiniboia, said in 2023, they had 135 volunteers attend this appreciation event, up from the previous year’s attendees.
The intention is to place a spotlight on inspiring figures whose invaluable deeds, volunteer efforts and commitment to community are bettering our communities. The celebration was established in 1974 and provides opportunity to thank those who serve as volunteers and hopes to inspire others to join volunteer efforts in their community.
The theme of national volunteer week highlights the importance of every volunteer and each contribution they make. The sharing of their time whether in minutes, hours or years long commitment strengthens the community and contributes to the overall well being of residents. Coming together in collective efforts, volunteers are contributing and making an impact on their community, essentially to the quality of life we all strive for.
Dijkstra said a letter was sent out to volunteers inviting them to the Volunteer Appreciation event being held at the Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreation Centre.
“The Town of Assiniboia would like to recognize and celebrate every Assiniboia volunteer and each contribution they are make to strengthen our community as ‘Every Moment Matters’.”
Complimentary brunch tickets were available for pick up at the town office starting April 9. Organizations were asked to share photos of their volunteers at their events to include in an appreciation slideshow to be shown at the event, showcasing all of the activity Assiniboia’s volunteers are part of.
Dijkstra added, “Assiniboia’s volunteers are invaluable in Assiniboia and I don’t think we could ever put a number on the amount of volunteers. We know we have our volunteers that we see at all the town events but there is always something to do in Assiniboia and with the multitude of organizations, clubs, events. There are lots of volunteers that are giving their valuable time to a ‘part of Assiniboia’ in a lot of quiet ways.”
Originally, Assiniboia’s volunteer appreciation event included an aspect where there was a call for nominees for a volunteer recognition award. However, the volunteer policy was amended to remove that recognition award to focus on all of the volunteers.
“We want to celebrate everyone who gives time. We feel this allows those quiet volunteers who may not love the lime light an opportunity to attend this event,” acknowledged Dijsktra.
Dijkstra acknowledge this is the third event she has organized of this nature since joining team “TOA” in November of 2021. “When I say ‘I’, we truly are a team here. There is a lot of collaboration within our organization. We are honoured to be able to show our appreciation.”
Town of Assiniboia puts a call out stating, “If you have volunteered, we want to celebrate you! We are calling all volunteers to join us at our volunteer appreciation brunch event. This includes members of organizations, board members, coaches, managers, tournament/event organizers, sporting groups, service clubs, etc.”
“We are truly amazed by our Assiniboia volunteers. Our community would not be what it is today without the dedication of our volunteers.”
Assiniboia’s Mayor Sharon Schauenberg told the Assiniboia Times about her own volunteer experience, “When I moved to Assiniboia many years ago, I moved from the city to this small rural community not knowing a single person. Each weekend I would drive back to the city as I missed my friends and family. After awhile the gals I worked with said to me if you don’t stay home on the weekends, you will never meet anyone, so I did, it was the best thing I ever did.”
“How did I meet people? I volunteered and in volunteering whether it be flipping pancakes at a breakfast or planting flowers, I not only felt connected, I felt part of the community as I was able to meet many people who made their home here. To this day I still volunteer wherever and whenever I can as giving back to my community and helping others out is one of the most rewarding things one can do. Assiniboia is now my home and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
