By Courtney Almeida

National Volunteer Week

2019 Appreciation Luncheon set for National Volunteer Week

Mar 23, 2019 | 7:03 AM

National Volunteer Week is set to take place from April 7 to 13. In celebration, the Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau is inviting the community to partake in an Appreciation Luncheon April 11.

The 23rd annual Luncheon held at Revolution Place will feature the Leaders of Tomorrow Awards ceremony.

“If you don’t have volunteers, you don’t really have a great quality of life,” says Carol-Anne Pasemko, Executive Director for the Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau.

Young Leaders ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old will be honored. All leaders being recognized are from Grande Prairie or surrounding area and have made significant contributions to the community through their volunteering efforts.

Plan Ahead

Why Would You Pre-Plan Your Funeral?

Apr 03, 2024

Dying away from home

What Happens if You Die Away From Home?

Mar 04, 2024

Flag Retiring Ceremony

What Do You Do With Worn-Out Flags?

Feb 01, 2024

“They’re working in schools, churches, they’re working in the park system. You know, they’re helping the seniors, they’re helping babies. They’re just absolutely everywhere and if you don’t have those people out and about in the community, you don’t have those services and so the quality of life goes down.”

Organized as a thank you to volunteers, the event aims to celebrate the positive impacts volunteers have made in the community. The hope is that through recognition, many other volunteers or youth will be inspired to also give and potentially become lifelong volunteers.

“It’s that social return on investment is what we’re looking at here. For every volunteer hour that somebody puts in, there’s an economic payoff to the community.” _{– Pasemko}

Winners receive a trophy and certificate on behalf of the Leaders of Tomorrow Awards. Additionally, they are also awarded a cash prize of $100 and a matching $100 donation to a charity of their choice.

Winners from last years Leaders of Tomorrow Awards

“Most youth don’t volunteer because no one has asked them to.” _{– Pasemko}

The Volunteer Services Bureau believes that this is the number one reason youth have for not volunteering. They encourage a call to action when it comes to youth volunteerism and for adults to be prepared to get involved themselves to support youth efforts.

“If we don’t ask them to volunteer and if we don’t give them the opportunities to volunteer, then we lose in the end.” _{– Pasemko}

She stresses the need for adults to channel the energy and drive in youth. She also notes that volunteering at a young age presents youth with the opportunity to learn new skills and develop a better understanding of what it means to give.

Sustainability is this year’s ceremony theme. Pasemko, talks about how the theme was decided on. “The theme is on Environmental Stability and what people can do. Just little things.” She continues, “If these kids don’t know how to sustain things. How to not waste things, we are really going to be in for trouble.”

Given the theme’s focus, to reduce waste attendees are encouraged to bring their own utensils, plates and cups to the luncheon.

“My generation was the ‘Do Not Litter’. This generation needs to be the ‘Do Not Waste’.” _{– Pasemko}

Another adjustment to the ceremony will see the increase of interactivity. This is the first-time candidates have had to apply for nominations through a recorded video application, rather than the traditionalized written format.

“We will be having a showcase of these videos, showing the kids doing their thing and people talking about them. Rather than just sort of reading their great accomplishments, people can view them,” said Pasemko.

Several door prizes have been organized for participants to enjoy alongside their meals.

The event is open to everyone in the public but to ensure the room is full of youth, the Volunteer Services Bureau reaches out to students in the community beforehand.

“We contact all the schools in the region, like the middle and senior schools and they bring in their student councils or their leadership groups.”

ATCO is presenting the 2019 awards ceremony, which is set to begin at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are available for $25 each at the Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau office, located at 10116 102 Avenue (Building C).