If there’s one thing everyone should do in their lifetime at some point, it’s volunteer.
It doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment to help make a difference to a cause. Every bit is beneficial to organizations seeking assistance.
Most of the time, however, there are people who fill the void left by those who don’t contribute anything to others by going above and beyond the call of duty, doing twice as much.
The great work of the numerous ladies and men from the Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary is the best-known example of residents pulling together for the community. The tireless efforts of so many reaps huge rewards.
The Chemainus Health Care Foundation does terrific work and puts considerable funds toward important medical equipment, scholarships and bursaries, and many other special projects.
There are countless individuals in this community who stand out for their service and it was great to see Sylvia Massey honoured with a special reception.
She has devoted considerable hours over many, many years to spearhead the Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank. She will surely be missed after having to step away from those duties, but there are those determined to take inspiration from Massey and carry on her work ethic.
Some service clubs in Chemainus and Crofton have not seen much of a changeover in several years or the addition of any newcomers and that’s a problem as their membership ages.
The Chemainus-Crofton Eagles Aerie and Auxiliary No. 4400 recently gave away $250,000 to worthwhile groups from funds they had been saving to establish a permanent meeting place, but decided, with so many senior members, it was better to give the money away.
The Chemainus/Crofton C to Sea Lions Club operates with a very small number of members that’s becoming all too common for some other service organizations as well.
Clubs short of people would be happy to see an infusion of new volunteers, especially among the abundant new residents relocating to the region, perhaps, as a way to get to know others and lend a much-needed helping hand.