In January the city hosted the Continental Cup of Curling, an international sporting event that required about 800 volunteers.
The following month, St. Albert was the site of the 55 Plus Alberta Winter Games, a province-wide multisport competition that also couldn’t have been successful — or even functional — without the enthusiastic support of 800 people.
Many people were awestruck by the outpouring of support for these one-time special events, except maybe for Nina Browton. As the volunteer manager for the Northern Alberta International Children’s Festival for the last decade, she depends on that level of community involvement year in and year out.
“For the last couple of years, we’ve recorded more volunteers. We’re looking at anywhere between 750 and 800 people,” she said.
She doesn’t think people haven’t been mindful of the needs of putting on this massive effort. It’s just that it’s been a fixture in our community for 30 years and so many people accept and are willing to participate in putting on one of the city’s signature events, one that garners attention from all corners of the globe.
“The festival has been around for so long and we’re so well established. We’ve got a great group of a lot of returning people, particularly from St. Albert, that come here year after year. They have it on their radar that the festival happens. Basically, they see spring and they start thinking about the children’s festival.”
Festival director Nancy Abrahamson said it’s a popular place for many people to get their first taste of volunteerism.
“I think it’s special about what we do. We also take volunteers as young as 12 years old. It’s a great opportunity.”
She added that the number of youth volunteers and adult ones is about even.
“It’s really important for us too to provide these opportunities for the youth as well so that they’ll become our leaders of tomorrow.”
Youth volunteers are interviewed and screened to ensure appropriate duties and are well supervised while on site. The Youth Ambassador Program for junior and senior high students allows youths the opportunity to gain leadership experience and gain confidence in pivotal positions at the festival.
The children’s festival is currently accepting volunteer applications. To learn more or to apply, call the volunteer information line at 780-459-1522 or visit www.childfest.com.
National Volunteer Week is being celebrated now until Saturday, April 16. To pay thanks to local volunteers, the Community Information and Volunteer Centre is giving out free coffee coupons and putting on a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon today.
On April 30 it will host its annual ceremony to announce the Volunteer Citizen of the Year and hand out the Leaders of Tomorrow Awards. Later on in the year it will present its Volunteer Friendly Business Awards to recognize local businesses that support the volunteer community.
For more information, call 780-459-6666 or visit www.stalbertcivc.com.
