As we head into summer, hopefully folks are getting a break and a chance to enjoy some nice weather. Ideally, without a bunch of wildfire smoke! Even though many families will be on holidays, a delightful bunch of people will still be showing up to help the community to be a better place. And they are doing it cheerfully - without pay.
Community volunteers provide a wide variety of services from running the local Thrift Shop to support the hospital, to operating the Food Centre, to the bringing world-class performances to the community, and making it possible for mountain bikers to ride some of the best trails in the north. These volunteers are supported by local donors who don鈥檛 have as much time but still take the money from hard work at their day jobs and spend it on others.
These local programs all run with little to no government support. I can speak with experience from running our programs to assist local low-income families with their pet care needs, especially spaying and neutering. Government funding of these programs is typically only about 5% of the budget. Our three veterinary partners are very small businesses, yet their contribution is SIX TIMES HIGHER. The rest 鈥� about two thirds - comes from private donors, mostly individuals.
Most non-profits, ours included, have really been pinched lately. Costs have gone up for necessary supplies and services, and donations have fallen as people have less money to contribute to the causes they love to support. Volunteers are being asked to do more with less, and are truly doing their best.
We aren鈥檛 entitled to the amazing services these volunteers and donors make possible. And there are a lot of other things they could be doing with their time and money. However, there is one FREE thing we can all do to provide a boost: when you get the chance, say 鈥淭hank you鈥�. On that note, thank you to all these kind people putting heart and soul, time and money into helping our community to be truly awesome!
Alistair Schroff is with Increased ACCESS (formerly Lakes Animal Friendship Society).
