Taking the time to say thank you

“I wouldn’t even want to imagine what would happen if we didn’t have volunteers to help us,” said Franca Kesic, co-ordinator of community and volunteer relations for the West Island Association for the Intellectually Handicapped. WIAIH relies on volunteers for their recreation program as well as for major fundraising activities including their annual art show. Almost 100 volunteers are involved in the recreation program, which offers a variety of fitness, educational and leisure activities to over 500 people with an intellectual disability or autism. The art show, which is one of WIAIH’s most important fundraisers, probably couldn’t take place without the participation of about 350 volunteers. “In a nutshell, many of our services could not be continued without the help of volunteers which would therefore impact families who are in need of services,” said Kesic.

You may still be wondering what this has to do with you. Does your child play hockey, soccer or baseball? Maybe your little one is excitedly preparing for a dance recital or a science fair at this very moment. If so, chances you’re your child’s life has been touched by volunteers. Some are front and centre, coaching and cheering your children on while others are behind the scenes, drawing up team lists, making phone calls, or creating theatre sets, decorations and costumes. Without them, the first inning would never take place and the show probably wouldn’t go on.

Volunteers are a crucial part of our society, whether we realize it or not. You know that person who directed you through the labyrinth of hospital corridors during your last visit? You got it – he or she was probably a volunteer, as were the people staffing the gift shop and doing so many other things at local hospitals. They’re everywhere, helping to make our community a better place to live, work and play.

If you know someone who volunteers for a worthwhile cause, take the time to thank them during National Volunteer Week. They give freely of their time and talents for no other reason than they want to give back to the community. Offering a heartfelt thank you during a week that was created to celebrate them is the least we can do to recognize their contribution.

— Linda Thompson is the community relations co-ordinator for Volunteer West Island