Pincher Creek Voice: Come and Go Luncheon celebrates local volunteers

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Come and Go Luncheon celebrates local volunteers

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

MD Reeve Rod Zielinski

The Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 and the Town of Pincher Creek worked together to host on a fine luncheon to all those in the area that volunteer, or are curious about volunteering in the area.

The event was held at the Pincher Creek Community Hall on Friday, April 20, and was very well attended.

Mayor Ernie Olsen

Volunteers are the hands, hearts, strong backs and stronger minds of this community. They are dedicated and help to create fantastic events, clear our landscape of trash, reduce the number of weeds that everyone contends with, count wildlife, help with sports, raise funds, and much more. Volunteers administrate, communicate, and mediate. They hold hands, dig holes, sew, knit, bake, cook, clean, sing, write, garden, build, mend, fix, and replace. They put out fires, tend the injured, and help find those that were lost. They are out there supporting this community every moment of every day, in every aspect of human endeavour, from the most uplifting to the most tragic.

Earl and Marion Johnson of the Pincher-Cowley Lions attend to the
Lion's booth at the Come and Go Volunteer Luncheon
C. Davis photos

All of that was recognized at this event, not only in the words delivered by Mayor Ernie Olsen and Reeve Rod Zielinski, but was also reflected in those that attended. Looking around the room, you could see friends greeting friends, strangers getting to know one another, community groups proudly representing their organizations, and the Town and MD staff worked together to efficiently keep the food flowing to the 200 plus people that came through the door.

Transplant recipient Colleen Cyr and donor Pat Walsh
C. Davis photo

Special attention was accorded by Mayor Olsen to Pat Walsh and Dustin Byam, citizens who have donated deeply and with great compassion. Each of these men have donated a kidney, helping save the lives of two other members of our community.