“Volunteers Grow Communities” is the theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week (April 17-23), which certainly rings true right here in Rainy River District.
Volunteers are all around us, day in and day out, yet far too often we take for granted their enormous contributions that help make our communities better places to live.
Think of our shut-ins who would not enjoy a decent meal if not for volunteers bringing one to their door. Or the fundraising that is done for all those worthy causes because volunteers are canvassing homes, standing on street corners, or manning tables at various local businesses.
Then there are all the community events successfully staged year after year thanks to the efforts of volunteers—the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, the Emo Walleye Classic, Crime Stoppers’ “Bail or Jail,” the Chamber of Commerce’s home and leisure show, Railroad Daze, Fun in the Sun, the Emo fall fair, “tour de Fort,” the Festival of the Performing Arts, and the community Christmas dinner, to name just a few.
Nor must we forget our fellow citizens who spend their evenings and weekends sitting on various committees, whether it’s working to find solutions to the economic woes facing our district, making sure our local sports teams run smoothly, and planning to host upcoming events like the 2006 Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts and the all-Ontario boys’ hockey championship.
In a nutshell, picture your community without volunteers and it’s not a pretty sight.
Volunteers truly are the lifeblood of a community. They deserve our deepest appreciation and thanks, not just this week but all year round.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
