Thank you, Southwest Saskatchewan! City hosts appreciation event for regional volunteers
The City of Swift Current knows the large-scale events that were hosted within the region in 2019 would not have been possible without a little help from their friends.
“There are a lot of shoulder taps when you live in Swift Current,” commented the City’s Partnerships and Events Coordinator, Brad Woods. “You reach out to friends and family and people that share common interests and you get them on board. Ninety percent of the time, people say yes.”
Woods was one of the organizers for Sunday’s Volunteer Appreciation Extravaganza at the Stockade, put on by the City of Swift Current.
“Anybody who was involved last year, whether you were involved with one thing or a number of things, you know how much time and effort went into the planning and into the presentation of these different events,” Woods said, who began his official role with the City last January. Prior to that, Woods was engaged with the planning of these events in a volunteer capacity.
“In most cases, you would host maybe one of these events in a calendar year. For us to do all these events in a calendar year was something really special. We felt as a City - and our Community Services Department, we felt like we needed to reach out to the community and say ‘thank you’ for helping us in the delivery of these events.”
Cue Sunday’s event, which was geared for all ages. Bouncy houses, popcorn, a balloon artist, refreshments, and entertainment from the Johner Boys all free of charge for the public. Approximately 400 people passed through the come-and-go event at Kinetic Park.
Finding time to volunteer isn’t always a simple thing to do - but for a lot of local families, it has become a way to spend more time together. Stephanie Prpick-boss, her husband Stephen, and their three children, all donated their time and efforts for some of the events hosted in Swift Current in 2019.
“Volunteering at all of these events provided the opportunity to promote the value of ‘service learning’ within my entire family,” commented Prpick-boss.
“It was very important for me to volunteer for multiple events because it was a way to give back, meet new people, and show support for major events in the community.”
As they raise the next generation of community leaders in their children Lexi, Eve, and Joe, Prpick-boss says volunteerism is a key part of the family’s focus.
“I have noticed that reiterating to my three children the importance of them being active volunteers in their community and school, it has strengthened their work ethic, they’ve learned new important skills, and they have always met new wonderful people. They have learned in order to grow a strong community, it requires its citizens, of all ages, to be willing to volunteer when able. It’s important to pay it forward.”
Corla Rokochy was part of the planning committee for Sunday’s event - she was also the event’s resident photographer. “I’m sure there will be events in the future where we’re going to call on the great volunteers once again, so we wanted to let them know that their hard work does not go unnoticed,” Rokochy noted. “These major events wouldn’t have happened without everyone stepping up in Swift Current and the southwest area… so we wanted to find a way to let them know how much we appreciated that.”
For Brad Woods, there is a recognition of commitment that extends past major sporting events.
“These communities like Swift Current, we’re built on volunteers, whether you’re volunteering as a coach, or on a weekly basis at your church, or whether it’s at a service club. Volunteerism is what drives Saskatchewan towns and events and it keeps places being the place you want to live. Those people need to be recognized as well. If you’re involved with your community, you’re a volunteer and we appreciate you.”