Mayor thanks volunteers for their service to Summerland

Summerland Mayor Peter Waterman paid tribute to the community’s volunteers at council on Monday.

“I believe the breadth and depth of volunteers in a community is the fabric that defines community character, gives the community added personality and identifies a community as one that cares,” he said.

During this year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies, Waterman said he began to reflect seriously on the importance of volunteerism in Summerland.

“Volunteers are heavily invested in everything that makes the community function,” he said.

His extensive list of examples included churches, service clubs, volunteer firefighters, festivals, athletic and cultural events and citizens on patrol.

“Indeed, our council committees require considerable commitment and some, like the recent Cultural Task Force, spent hours and hours of time in meetings and community consultations.”

There is no age restriction for volunteering, Waterman pointed out.

The many seniors who give of their time bring important business, professional and life skills to their tasks while younger men and women contribute to such activities as serving on parent advisory committees, organizing and coaching athletic teams for children and youth and other youth-oriented activities, for example, the Summerland Asset Development Initiative.

“I and council would like to thank the many volunteers that make Summerland a very worthwhile place to live,” he said.