To the Editor,
The people of Alberni Valley have always had a great willingness to help out, especially when others have been thrust into stressful situations of grief from loss of life or property. Volunteering of time and resources has been the real community glue for the people of Port Alberni.
All communities have many service groups that otherwise would not be able to serve, if it were not for the volunteers who do the work for the organization. Fundraising, festivals or sporting events—the list is long where volunteers are critical for the community to carry on such events.
Many must come forward or some activities would be too costly to operate. People need only to have a willingness to learn what to do effectively to help out.
Wonderful, capable leaders come forth to lead the volunteers. They are themselves volunteers who feel capable of organizing so things run smoothly.
Volunteers usually find the time requirements a little greater than they imagined. For most this is not a big problem because most serve on many short duration volunteer projects during a year. Elders, the retirees and those who are a bit younger find time to help out.
The problem arises when the volunteer begins to feel a burnout in their serving efforts. Declining ability from age, interest, frustration or boredom from the familiar are hazards of volunteering.
Some programs need to cease for a while until the interest can be rekindled. This should not frustrate a community even if some major event needs to go into a stasis period.
Everyone has enjoyed and benefited from events operated by volunteers. So please do volunteer into programs that interest you. Enjoy and have fun and camaraderie with those groups because your talent, time and energy are graciously needed.
Bruce Hornidge,
Port Alberni