Weekend of Volunteering

As the weekend wraps up I find myself reflecting on the volunteer opportunities I've been able to participate in over the past few days.

First, on Saturday morning I joined a handful of other City Council candidates in a "Candidates Build" of Our Home Kikinaw.   Our Home Kikinaw is a project of the Thompson Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation that assists low-income families in achieving home ownership.  It is modeled after the Habitat for Humanity project and provides the opportunity to empower people and build community pride.  The project collaborates with volunteers to help build.

The best part about it is that they accept all skill ranges - meaning I qualified to help out!  I may not know how to swing a hammer, but I proved I could shovel gravel into a wheelbarrow pretty well!  Another great spin off is the sense of pride this communal work can generate.  This home will be available to a family in need and our volunteers, from many different walks of life, will share a sense of partnership and accomplishment by providing home ownership to a family as means to break the cycle of poverty in our community.  That's an accomplishment worth applauding!

Second on my list of weekend activities, I participated in the Thompson Humane Society 3rd Annual Fall Fashion Show Fundraiser.  The fundraiser is a fashion show of clothes from local retailers, with a silent auction and a dessert bar, with 100% of the proceeds going toward the Thompson Humane Society.  I participated as a baker and, for the second year in a row, as a model. The Thompson Humane Society seeks to promote compassion and humane treatment for all animals.  They provide a shelter for animals and have a number of dogs and cats available for adoption into loving homes.  Definitely a great event, coordinated by great people, for a great cause.

This weekend I took a bit of a different approach to campaigning - to go volunteering rather than door knocking - but when you think about it, volunteers are the root behind most changes, causes or movements that try to make things better and without them, many services wouldn't exist!  Volunteers are fighters, workers, leaders, front runners and visionaries.  They are our community ambassadors and support everything that makes the City of Thompson a great place to be!  Working with our City's volunteers is a great way to keep your finger to the pulse and learn what drives people to step up and give back to our community.

Thank you to all of our volunteers.  Your work DOES make a difference!