Peggy Revell
Organizers of Canada Day celebrations here are in need of volunteers to make the day a success.
“Everything is coming along,” said committee chairman Randy Thoms.
But while the committee has planned out many of the activities so far, they need the bodies to make things happen.
Volunteers are needed to help with set-up for the day, he noted, as well as with running the Bingo and children’s activities at Pither’s Point.
“We’ve got the children’s activities basically all set,” Thoms remarked. “There’s a number of things, like the scavenger hunt, and there’s looking at some of the old-time races, like three-legged, potato sack, those kinds of things.”
As well, there will be a sandbox children can search through to win prizes.
Meanwhile, floats and people still are needed for the Canada Day parade, too, Thoms said.
“We have a parade, it’s just kind of short right now,” he conceded. “We have one [or] two floats registered.”
Organizers also are hoping to have an information booth/lost and found set up, added Thoms.
“We can do anything as long as we have the bodies in place!” he stressed.
While they’re a little behind schedule, Thoms said the various sub-committees are working hard to get everything ready for the big day.
“We have ordered the fireworks, so that’s in place,” he remarked.
Another thing the committee is working on is fundraising, including walking along the parade route to seek out donations to help pay for the day’s events.
One of these fundraisers—and to help get everyone in a patriotic mood—is the “Kick-off Canada Day Social” planned for Thursday, June 30 from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. at the local Legion.
“The social is just to get everybody in a kind of celebration mode towards [Canada Day], plus also raising funds,” explained Sandra Allan, the committee’s entertainment co-ordinator.
The age-of-majority event will include raffles, dance contests, and a 50/50 draw, with half the proceeds going towards the festivities and the other half to the winner.
Local businesses have donated “awesome prizes” towards the dance contests, Allan added.
“We just really want to focus on the community, just get everybody in a celebration mode for the next day,” she reasoned.
“And also, we’re looking at the funds, too—it costs a lot to put on all the events at the Point,” she added. “So it’s just an extra [way] to raise money.”
Allan also stressed the need for the community to get involved and assist with the day.
“A lot goes on,” she remarked. “People see the end result of the events, the actual events going on, but a lot goes on behind the scene.
“Like setting up—we have a big tent to set up. We’ll need at least 10 men or strong women to put it up, as well, and take it down because it’s a lot of work.
“Plus also just organizing some of the activities,” Allan continued. “We’ve got some of the activities organized but we need some people to actually run some of the activities, as well.
“Any help is gladly appreciated.”
For high school students, volunteering counts towards the community hours they need to graduate.
Those interested in volunteering can contact Thoms at 274-5634.
