Recently, National Volunteer Week, came and went with only a whisper, because that is how volunteers work: in the background.Yet they remain important to the fabric of communities.
On Saturday, the celebration of Nelson’s 50th Citizen of the Year was a reminder of the invaluable contribution of volunteers.
Years ago, I read that the national value of volunteerism in Canada is $7 billion annually. Locally, volunteerism is priceless.
Two recent Nelson events — the Provincial PeeWee and Junior B hockey competitions — were exemplary acts of volunteerism. With much appreciation and heartfelt gratitude, I commend the members of their respective organizational committees and the many volunteers who spent countless hours hosting “first-class” events. You did yourselves and our community proud. Two tournament banners were erected in the Nelson and District Community Complex to act as reminders of your contribution. The NDCC was a perfect facility in hosting these successful events. I hear frequent positive comments from visitors, who promise to return to our community for subsequent holidays.
As Nelson, once again, received national recognition as one of Canada’s top 10 communities to visit, it is the volunteer’s sense of pride in community and willingness to “give back” which is at the heart of such status.
Bill McDonnell
Nelson