Cochranites will be kicking off National Volunteer Week in style, with a complimentary appreciation event for the kind-hearted residents among us.
The week, which will run nationwide April 21 to 27, will be launched here in Cochrane April 20, with a variety of events taking place at the Cochrane Movie House from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The theme of the volunteer appreciation event is: volunteers building our community together,” said Brenda Dennis, a family and community support services, volunteer services and community programmer with the Town of Cochrane.
“I always say that volunteers are the heart of the community — without them, the non-profit organizations that are so needed here wouldn’t be able to run.”
To reward the volunteers, Dennis said the appreciation event will offer three movies for attendees including The Croods, a 3D family movie and Oz: The Great and Powerful, a 3D fantasy adventure film. The third movie has yet to be confirmed.
In addition, motivational speaker Troy Payne will be presenting, and attendees will be entertained with music, snacks and door prizes.
“This community is full of volunteers — volunteerism is thriving here,” said Dennis about the current state of volunteerism in Cochrane.
At least it’s thriving in terms of the one-time-shot opportunities.
“There is never a problem finding people to come out and volunteer at a one-time event — they show up, do their job and they’re done,” she said. “The area where there is a need for volunteers is on boards. When I hear about vacant volunteer positions, it’s usually for a long-term commitment (like board members).”
This sentiment is echoed by Cheryl Hardy, a Cochrane and area volunteer who sits on boards and committees ranging from 4-H groups, to festivals and events, to the local Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s been in the last five years that I noticed a drastic shift in the state of volunteerism,” said Hardy. “People are overwhelmed. What appears to be happening is that people will volunteer, but don’t want to commit.”
“Right now, in Cochrane, there seems to be a core group of volunteers,” she added.
While Hardy said she understands how frustrating and time consuming it can be to commit to initiatives, she also urged people to think of the rewards associated with volunteering.
“It’s not a cliché,” she said. “It does make you feel good. That’s why I do it, if I’m not enjoying myself or learning something new, I don’t do it. But volunteering has given me a huge sphere of experience.”
There is an array of reasons for Cochranites to start dipping into the volunteer pool, said Dennis, all of them individual. Sometimes it’s the social aspect of volunteering, while other times it could be a resume-building venture for students.
Nowadays, volunteering has become easier than ever, said Hardy, with short time commitments — some as little as a few hours — to accommodate busy schedules.
To become a volunteer, both Hardy and Dennis recommended contacting any initiatives that catch your eye, striking up a conversation at an event or festival, or checking out the list of volunteer opportunities listed on the Town of Cochrane website, cochrane.ca.
Anyone who is already an established volunteer in Cochrane is invited to pick up a complimentary ticket to the April 20 volunteer appreciate event at the Cochrane Movie House.
Tickets will be available April 3 at the FCSS.
