If you ask most dedicated volunteers why they spend so much of their free time and energy without getting paid, most will tell you it’s all about giving back to the community and making it a better place to live.
Here in Osoyoos, we are blessed with hundreds of committed volunteers who go above and beyond to make this town the wonderful place it is to live, to play, to work and to raise a family.
This past Saturday, close to 250 community volunteers poured into the Sonora Community Centre as the Town of Osoyoos once again sponsored its Osoyoos Volunteer Appreciation and Awards banquet.
While there are volunteers in virtually every town, village and city on the planet, everyone who calls Osoyoos home knows this is a very special and unique place that matches up against any when it comes to volunteerism.
There are numerous non-profit organizations and committees in this town that simply would not exist without the commitment and support of dedicated volunteer members.
The list of those organizations and committees is literally too long to list in this newspaper.
We applaud each and every individual volunteer and volunteer group that puts in the time, effort and energy to ensure the quality of life of residents in and around Osoyoos will be improved.
It’s people like Birgit Arnstein, who was named Osoyoos’ Volunteer of the Year on Saturday, who are a shining example of what volunteerism is all about.
After finishing a 45-year career as a registered nurse, Arnstein moved to Osoyoos almost a decade ago and one of the first things she did was get involved as a volunteer.
Over the past nine years, she has committed endless hours to causes she believes in, including the Osoyoos Lake Water Quality Society, Osoyoos Festival Society and the Osoyoos Desert Society.
She also helped form a book club soon after her arrival.
Pleasantly surprised and humbled with the honour, Arnstein said giving back to the community she loves and proudly calls home brings her great joy and satisfaction.
And she knows she’s doing her part to improve the quality of life for all of the residents of Osoyoos.
As Mayor Sue McKortoff stated eloquently at the banquet, volunteers are the life blood of any community and we’re blessed to have a small army of wonderful volunteers in this town.
Kudos to the Town of Osoyoos for ensuring the efforts of volunteers are recognized as the Osoyoos Volunteer Appreciation and Awards ceremony has turned into one of the most anticipated events of the year.
Most volunteers don’t do what they do to get a pat on the back and they don’t get paid.
But they do what they do to make a difference and derive personal satisfaction from knowing they’re making their community a better place to live.
Congratulations to each and every volunteer in this community on a job well done.
