LAC LA BICHE - More than 200 community members have somehow managed to find time in their busy schedules to attend an event this Thursday night that will thank them for all that busy time.
A volunteer appreciation event is taking over the Community Room at the Bold Center on Thursday from 6 to 8pm.
Brian Deheer and appies
Organized by Lac La Biche County's FCSS department, the Volunteer Appreciation Night is a way to thank volunteers as the community wraps up the annual Volunteer Appreciation Week. FCSS Community Outreach Worker Chenee Miller has spent some busy days of her own contacting dozens of regional groups and agencies, inviting volunteers for a casual, drop-in night of live music provided by local musician and community volunteer Brian Deheer, and appetizers.
"It's a way to thank the people in our community who help others, who help the community," Miller told Lakeland This Week, explaining that she has contacted 80 local groups over the last two weeks, sending invites to their roster of volunteers.
Going into the new week, about a third of all the contacts have responded. Doing some quick math, Miller says the 200 or so who have confirmed are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to local volunteers. She hopes to see more at the appreciation event.
"Oh there are definitely more, and we want to celebrate them," she said, explaining that the event is a way to recognize those who attend, and also those who can't make it ... but continue to make a difference. "We want to celebrate them all."
Organizing the event, Miller has found interesting statistics about the local volunteer force. Rebounding from some challenges and reduced event schedules during the COVID pandemic, an estimated 500 local volunteers have bounced back in a big way.
"Over the last year alone, the volunteers in our community have dedicated more than 15,000 hours of their time to volunteer, which is wild," she said.
Celebrating those hours and those people, the event is also a way for community members who are thinking about donating some of their time to find out more by getting some expert advice.
"We want it to also bring volunteer awareness. This event is geared at celebrating the volunteers we have in the community, and if anyone is interested in volunteering, it's a great opportunity to chat with anyone there.
Thursday's drop-in event is open to the public.
