Photo: City of Grande Prairie

By Shane Clausing

National Volunteer week

Grande Prairie organizations celebrate National Volunteer Week

Apr 18, 2021 | 7:00 AM

Today marks the start of National Volunteer Week in Canada.

The annual week is a nationwide celebration to support volunteers that help out in our communities. This year, it runs from April 18-24.

Carol-Anne Pasemko, the Executive Director for the Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau says this week is important because without our volunteers, our communities wouldn’t be what they are.

“This country was built on volunteers and if we didn’t have volunteers, we wouldn’t have the things we have.”

In a normal year, the week would see awards handed out to volunteers and more in-person events.

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Unfortunately, with COVID-19 lingering around, Pasemko tells EverythingGP most of their activities are virtual, but adds there’s still lots planned to celebrate volunteers.

“On our website, there is a link that will take them to the National Volunteer Week site. On that site, there is a proclamation from the City and County as well as Minister Leela Aheer to celebrate volunteers.”

“There is also a number of interviews with local volunteers. Quite a few of the organizations have also sent in videos to congratulate some of their volunteers and then there’s a scavenger hunt.”

In order to participate in the scavenger hunt, volunteers will have to download the Goosechase app. From there they can make a profile and participate.

At the end of the hunt, three random winners will be selected and contacted to claim a prize.

While it’s a different year to celebrate volunteers, Pasemko says they are thankful for everyone who donates their time to help their community thrive.

She also wanted to say a big thank you to the Government of Alberta and Volunteer Alberta for supporting this important week.