In honour of National Volunteer Week and all of Jasper鈥檚 tireless volunteers, the municipality hosted its annual volunteer banquet, April 14.
The evening was hosted by volunteer extraordinaire Greg Van Tighem, the outgoing president of the Rotary Club of Jasper, one of the top fundraisers for the MS Society of Canada and an active member of Ducks Unlimited鈥攋ust to name a few of his many hats.
Following his humble remarks on volunteerism, Van Tighem handed over the stage to Mayor Richard Ireland, an avid volunteer in his own right.
鈥淭hat Greg Van Tighem, what a guy, eh?鈥� said Ireland as he reached the microphone. 鈥淚 notice he鈥檚 getting dangerous. He talked to you about volunteerism and it kind of makes my remarks redundant, we鈥檒l have to deal with that,鈥� he joked.
Ireland extolled the many traits of a volunteer and thanked all of Jasper鈥檚 selfless, unpaid workers for making Jasper the vibrant community it is today.
The theme for the 2016 National Volunteer Week celebrations was 鈥渧olunteers are the roots of strong communities.鈥�
Playing on that theme, Ireland said much like roots, volunteers are the 鈥渦nseen, life-giving support鈥� that allows our community to thrive.
鈥淰olunteers make us more literate, more educated, more artistic, more cultured, more active, healthier, safer, more engaged, more spiritual, more communal; they make our community more animated, more vibrant, more inclusive, more welcoming, more friendly, more productive, more united, more green, more sustainable and even more beautiful.
鈥淏ut like roots, volunteers remain mostly out of sight, away from the light, unobserved鈥攏ot needing, not seeking and, in fact, even avoiding recognition or reward鈥攈ence the need for this evening.
This appreciation dinner provides a most welcome opportunity to cast a warm and revealing light on the incredible roots of our remarkable community, our volunteers.鈥�
Following his address, Ireland presented a number of awards to volunteers who have served on municipal boards and asked that, in future years, local service groups and organizations nominate members of their own groups to be recognized at the event as well.
As well as a delicious Indian dinner prepared by Gopal Shelke of the Jasper Curry Place, the evening also included entertainment by Jasper鈥檚 own Ryan Michael, better known as Ryan Lackey.
Although he now calls Kelowna home, Lackey returned to Jasper to wow the full house at the Jasper Activity Centre with his mind-blowing magic tricks.
As well as performing card tricks, he also proved he can read minds and transport objects鈥攁 $5 bill and a handkerchief鈥攊nto a kiwi fruit and a green pepper, respectively.
For his efforts, Lackey was given numerous standing ovations over the course of his performance and he was joined on stage by a number of brave volunteers, from Ireland to Marianne Garrah, Dave Baker, Emma Neilson, Judy Krefting and Kathleen Tyrell.
Nicole Veerman
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