by Anita Benedict
It is that time of year again where we look at the who’s who of volunteering. Nominations are now being accepted for the Municipality of East Hants Volunteer Recognition Awards.
Each year I attend as Town Crier and see the smiling faces of those who have been chosen by their peers to be honoured. Some were slightly embarrassed by the attention, preferring to remain out of the limelight, but the smile on the faces of their friends and family members spoke of their pride in the award.
When I think of the nomination, it doesn’t have to be someone who has solved the ills of the world, or someone who dedicates every waking hour to volunteering. I see a person in my church who twice a year for three Saturdays straight stands and rolls out pie dough for a pie frolic fundraiser. Beside them is someone who is mixing that dough, and it does not come from a box mix. Someone else is filling the pan with apples and spice. Those apples were picked up by volunteers, peeled by volunteers, sliced by volunteers and sold by volunteers. Over a hundred pies are made in a day by a well-oiled human machine.
I think of the ladies who quilt to raise funds for their group, the ones who bind it and sell the tickets. I see another who sews fidget blankets for seniors’ homes or those who benefit from such a thing. There are folks who knit hats and mittens to donate to schools or make lapghans for hospice patients.
Volunteers who take part in community plays with hours of practice, costume fittings, and then time to act on stage. It is fun, but takes time from busy schedule to support community groups. Then we have those who plan festivals, get permits, clean properties and the list goes on and on with no job to small to recognize.
If everyone in your group has been recognized, look outside the group and see who else in the community is deserving of a pat on the back. Know any youth who are helping? Nominate them, show they are appreciated.
I was once told “we were going to nominate you, but we didn’t know what you did?” At first, I was insulted considering the time I had given in the presence of that person. It isn’t that I needed or expected a nomination at the time, like most volunteers I do it for the joy and feel- good moments of making a difference. I was bothered by the need for that person to make that comment.
What did come from that comment was a determination to never let someone go unnoticed. I may not be able to nominate everyone for an award, but I will make sure to spread the word the nominations are open. There have been many deserving people overlooked, like one lady last year who had been volunteering for over 70 years and it was the first time she had been nominated. Take a look around and see who helps make our small world better. Make sure they know they are appreciated.
Want to nominate, you can find the form online at https://www.easthants.ca/volunteers/.
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