It’s National Volunteer Week this week and several local organizations are looking forward to recognizing the volunteers who make the community as great as it is.

“They play a major role and delivering a lot of the programs, and advocating with the board of directors, right down to our Meals on Wheels. I think they really make our community run. They're the heart of our community for sure, giving back to the community, and serving. I think definitely fills you up and makes our community the best place to live for sure,” said Crystal Zens, Executive Director of the Lacombe and District Family and Community Support Services.

Thanks to the Volunteer Alberta grant, the FCSS and other local organizations will be handing out gifts to local volunteers. 

“In collaboration, with Lacombe Victim Services, Mary C. Moore Library, and the Big Brothers Big Sisters group we went in on the grants together, and so we are launching our volunteer appreciation gifts. They are our ‘love local bag’.  On Thursday, we're stuffing them so people can start picking those up Friday at the local agencies,” explained Zens.  

The gift is available for any volunteers in the City this Friday, April 29th at the Lacombe FCSS office, Mary. C. Moore Library, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Lacombe Victim Services. 

Although several organization have lost volunteers due to challenges with COVID-19 over the years,  Zens mentioned that several volunteers expressed interest to local organizations at the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce’s Trade Show over the weekend.

“The Lacombe Trade Show was a super hub of interest for volunteerism and people wanting to get out and giving back. People came to see what different roles there are in the community for volunteering anywhere from sports groups to different initiatives, charities, and city. We’re definitely seeing a lot of interest spurred,” said Zens. 

The Lacombe FCSS is creating another opportunity to check out ways you can become involved in volunteering in the community on May 10thover lunch hour. 

“The four charities Big Brothers Big Sisters, Victim Services, Mary C. Moore Public Library, and FCSS will be hosting a Q&A panel session for volunteers. They can log on Zoom and hear about all the volunteer opportunities in our city and the different ways to apply and the roles and job duties of volunteers. If people had questions on how to volunteer, they could definitely log on to that,” explained Zens. 

You can keep an eye out for more information on the Q&A by clicking here.