There are few people in this world as kind-hearted and generous as volunteers. Who else would devote time, energy, services or money for the benefit of someone else and receive nothing in return, besides the satisfaction of knowing they improved someone else's life?
But every once in a while there comes a time to recognize these selfless individuals.
Direct Energy and the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association (AWNA), of which the Bonnyville Nouvelle is a proud member, invite Albertans to help recognize our province's remarkable volunteer spirit with the seventh annual Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award program.
Nominations are now being accepted and will close Friday, April 1, 2011.
According to the Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering and Participating, Canadians volunteered 2.1 billion hours or the equivalent of 1.1 million individuals working full time in 2007. The Alberta Volunteer Citizen of the Year Award program is designed to recognize the significant efforts of these individuals whose contributions make their communities a better place to live. To learn more about the contest, see the story on Page 9.
We know there are many hard-working volunteers in Bonnyville and the surrounding area. Whether it is someone coaching a children's sports team, helping the community through the Lions clubs, or making a difference with a student organization, this contest is for you. We know there are many great volunteers in our community because we see them all the time when we are out in the community gathering news and sharing peoples' stories.
This is a great opportunity to nominate someone you feel is making a difference in the lives of others and deserves to be recognized.
While not everyone can win the AWNA contest, the Nouvelle will feature local hardworking volunteers in its April 12 issue in honour of National Volunteer Week April 10-16. Please contact us at nouvelle@ bonnyville.greatwest.ca if you know of someone who should be featured in our paper.
So send in your nominations and give us a call, Bonnyville. We know you're out there.
