LAC LA BICHE - Giving back to the community by creating and supporting children’s activities in Lac La Biche County has been a large part of Andrea Ulliac’s life over the years.
For the community members around her who recognize her efforts, it’s brought a sense of comfort to know there are people who are always willing to lend a hand.
“She is a lady who wears many hats… If a club posts that they are looking for volunteers, she is likely to step up if she can,” says Amy Colosimo, a fellow community volunteer at the Lac La Biche Gymnastics Society. Ulliac has supported a number of groups since moving to the community over five years ago.
“I think a lot of time we forget that behind non-profit organizations, there is a handful of volunteers who are constantly stepping up,” says Colosimo, speaking about the avid volunteers who deserve recognition.
Road to volunteering
A large cause Ulliac first began contributing to was helping establish the Lac La Biche Gymnastics Society in 2017.
After realizing there was a demand from the community for a gymnastics club, Ulliac decided to see what she could do to assist.
“I was on maternity leave, so I thought I had all the time in the world… So, I decided that I can do this. Well, a year and a half later I finally started it.”
Today, the Lac La Biche gymnastics club has over 130 athletes and aims to operate at an affordable cost for members.
Now working for Lac La Biche County full-time, today, Ulliac is the gymnastic club's president and serves as president of Vera M. Welsh School’s parent council. While regularly volunteering for the Lac La Biche Hockey Association and Plamondon and District Community Development Society (PDCDS) —among other groups that require support.
“I do a lot of volunteering for different organizations because I love helping people out and knowing I’m making a difference and that people are able to enjoy things because of volunteers.”
Support your community
One of the biggest reasons Ulliac chooses to volunteer is to make sure all community members can have the experiences she had as a kid.
“If we don’t put up our hands, things are going to start disappearing and I want my kids to be able to enjoy life just like I was able to, with all these extra circular activities,” said the mother of two. Volunteering also simultaneously allows her to spend time with her kids.
“For a lot of my stuff, they're my tag-alongs,” she said, smiling.
In turn, it’s important for the next generation to see that community members dedicate their time to creating a community filled with opportunity and joy, she said
Volunteering is vital, says Ulliac. Not only does it create and retain programs and services, it also allows programs to be more feasible for families and individuals who may not be able to afford them, while encouraging kids to get some fresh air and exercise.
“When I’m able to volunteer, it fills my heart… I would love for anyone to volunteer at least two times every year, and that will make a difference in our volunteerism for our county.”
With COVID impacting many gatherings and opportunities to give back to over the last two years, Ulliac says she’s thrilled to be back in her various roles, and hopes to see others taking advantage of opportunities to support their communities.
“I know there are some people who don’t understand why I do it… but I strongly believe volunteering makes you a better person,” says Ulliac.
