Living in rural Ontario comes with its perks – homes with yards, a relatively safe environment for children, and a sense of community that one doesn’t tend to find in a big, urban centre.
Communities like ours also come with a plethora of local activities for everyone to enjoy; park spaces to walk and play in; and various facilities for health care and recreation.
In rural Ontario, much of what we know in our communities is due to our dedicated volunteers.
Without volunteers to coach and organize minor sports, skating clubs, 4-H, Cadets – the list goes on, and I apologize if I missed one – these activities would not be enjoyed by local children.
Events would be difficult to plan without the help of the dozens of volunteers that do so, and harder yet to pull off without the help of the dozens of groups who volunteer at the event.
Those who are unable to make ends meet would find it harder to do so if it weren’t for the volunteers who work at the local food banks to gather and deliver the needed goods.
Service groups like the Lions Club fundraise countless dollars through several events and fundraisers each year, with all of those dollars going back into the community for those in need or local programs such as minor sports, etc.
Without the dedicated volunteers with our local hospital foundation, our community wouldn’t have the facilities they do.
Without the volunteers who make up our local fire services, those who need help in their worst moment would not get it.
And when someone in town needs help, be it financial or otherwise, the residents of this community are quick to rally and lend a helping hand. It’s truly inspiring to see how the community supports each other in a time of need.
Please forgive us if we missed anyone or any group, as this list is far from official and far from complete.
Now, take a moment to think about everything you enjoy about this community. How many of those things would be missing if it weren’t for our volunteers?
It’s a scary thought, isn’t it?
On behalf of the staff of Midwestern Newspapers, thank you to each and every one of you who take time out of your busy schedule to volunteer in your community.
No matter how small or how big your contribution is, we are glad you made it.
Volunteers are the heart and soul of any community, and judging by the amount of volunteer organizations this community has, the heart and soul of this community isn’t going to go away any time soon.
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Mike Wilson is the editor of Midwestern Newspapers. Comments and feedback are welcome at mwilson@midwesternnewspapers.com.
