2 minute read
Volunteers Make It Happen
Volunteers Make It Happen
Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent
The theme for National Volunteer Week 2025 was Volunteers Make Waves. Indeed, they do, as many community programs and events would not take place without volunteers.
There was lively conversation, laughter, and people reaching out to others when 180 attendees were treated to a free barbecue, prizes, and music performances by Perogies and Jam at the Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue hosted by Vegreville and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and Town of Vegreville, and County of Minburn at Vegreville Centennial Library on June 18.
Joanne Dennis, FCSS Community and Development Facilitator and Lead Coordinator for the event, and FCSS Manager Julie Gottselig explained that there were also a handful of individuals who volunteered their time to help with the event itself.
“Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting and sustaining the non-profit sector in Vegreville. With approximately 119 different non-profit organizations operating locally, each one relies heavily on volunteers to fulfill their missions and serve the community.
At Vegreville and District FCSS alone, our volunteers help deliver essential services such as:
Meals on Wheels, with 32 volunteers delivering between 400–500 meals per month.
The Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP), where six dedicated volunteers completed 420 tax returns this season.
Family Day, where 44 volunteers contributed 159 hours to make the event a success.
Our Junior Leaders Program fosters youth leadership and community engagement.”
They went on to express as proud members of Volunteer Alberta, they were fortunate to receive funding to host this event with three main goals in mind: to appreciate, inspire, and recruit volunteers.
“Volunteers are truly the foundation of our communities, especially in rural areas like Vegreville and the County of Minburn. Their work ensures the continued vibrancy, care, and connection that small towns depend on. Whether through service, leadership, or compassion, our volunteers are key to building a strong, resilient, and caring community,” Gottselig and Dennis added.
