Kamloops: Volunteer City

April 27 to May 3 is National Volunteer Week, and it is more than evident that Kamloops volunteers contribute to every facet of life in Kamloops: health, safety, sports, arts, and culture to name just a few. The strength of our community comes from all of the great events and services that their time and commitment create.

As an example, last week, I attended the Rayleigh Waterworks District AGM and heard about one long term volunteer. Thanks goes to Brian Clack who stepped down after 34 years as a director on their board. That is an extraordinary length of service to the community. As with many volunteers, his work went on in the background, often unnoticed, but had huge effects on the quality of life for many others in our city.

It was also great to see the 35 people who came out to make important decisions about their community and that a full slate of directors was elected who are committed to keeping Rayleigh's water safe.

Last week, I was also part of a meeting of volunteers at the Aids Society of Kamloops. Led by SHOP coordinator Toni Pate, the group is planning a workshop by Children of the Street to teach youth and their parents how to avoid sexual exploitation. The BC Government and others identify sexual exploitation as one of the leading risk factors for young people becoming involved in the sex trade. A difficult topic to discuss, but well worth the effort to help give our young people the tools they need to stay safe.

On Saturday it seemed like everyone was helping at a community event.

Riverside Park and the downtown were full of energetic "Boogie the Bridgers". Kudos to Jo Berry and her great group of volunteers for launching Kamloops into spring with this great community building event. Giving people the chance to gather together for a common goal and have fun too is a great recipe for a strong community.

My friend helped all of Saturday at the Thompson Valley Pottery Guild spring sale at Heritage House. Meanwhile, the Kamloops Community Art Council hosted the "Boogie the Bridge Emerging Artist" show. There was even more creative energy over at the Kamloops Art Gallery who hosted a "U-Build Sculpture" event that was well attended by kids and their parents.

Meanwhile, I helped out at the St.Andrews on the Square booth at Volunteer Kamloops "Volunteer Fair". The SPCA, TRU's Radio-X, Kamloops Food Bank, Canadian Red Cross, Kamloops Society for Community Living, Desert Gardens Community Centre, the BC Wildlife Park and the Lions Club were some of the other groups at the fair. All were looking for people interested in volunteering with their organization.

The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association's Spring Festival added to the energy downtown. There was great music, mascots, dancers and all sorts of other events, including Kamloops Society for Community Living's coffee house, with Art Pruce, Perry Tucker and other local musicians contributing their time.

On Sunday, I took part in the MS Walk for Life. Marcia Wilson, Cyndi Lion, and Ronnie Bouvier of Kamloops' MS Society chapter brought together a host of volunteers to set up the walk, provide food, collect donations. I was very impressed by the number of people who came out to this inclusive event to support MS research and support for those with this condition. It was evident that those who came out had a direct connection with someone with MS or perhaps had it themselves, and chose to use this event to make a positive change.

Not all events bring joy. On Monday, volunteers from the Kamloops & District Labour Council gave the community more sombre reason to gather, by organizing the city's National Day of Mourning service. Representatives from labour, all levels of government and WorkSafe BC all affirmed their desire to reduce worker fatalities and injuries. The most moving part of the ceremony was when individuals came forward to share their stories of loss of their father, their colleagues and their friends.

Volunteers contributes in some way to make our community stronger. I believe it is the role of City Council and the City of Kamloops to support as many volunteer based initiatives as possible, whether through direct funding or partnership, reasonably priced rental costs for facilities, endorsements of support or acting to bring groups together to work on a common goal. Each volunteer initiative serves a different segment of the community, but taken as a whole, they benefit all of us.