Salute volunteers this month

By Debbie Irmen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Thursday, April 10, 2008

They are every where, volunteers.

They contribute invaluable services, hours and personal talents to hundreds of charities in our area. Without them, many of these charities would be unable to provide help to those who most need it.

To say volunteers are priceless is true, to an extent. However, their contributions do in fact have a tangible price attached.

Ask any director of a charity and they can tell you exactly how much volunteers contribute, which translates to dollars for the charity.

April is typically set aside to honor volunteers and soon many local organizations will show their appreiciation by hosting a luncheon or other event to recognize all their work.

Without volunteers, no community could function well. Sure, government would still function, but many community activities, events and services would not happen without the talents and time put in by volunteers.

I participated in the United Way’s allocations meetings last week in which a small group of charities presented information on their programs and requested a portion of the money raised by the agency during its fundraising campaign.

I didn’t take notes, I was busy listening to each presentation, but each charity identified the number of people it served. I know the charities often pay a director, but most can’t afford to pay other staff and count on its volunteer core to serve its clientel.

Without those volunteers, Boy and Girl Scouts and Camp Fire wouldn’t have leaders, the Salvation Army couldn’t provide Christmas gifts to families, the Food Shelf couldn’t collect food to give out to the hungry; and the Adult Basic Education program which helps adults improve their literacy skills for further educational opportunities.

Without volunteers, these programs could not deliver their services.

Volunteer coordinators with the school district, the veterans home and other such places, could tell you of the generousity of people when it comes to giving of their time to help children, senior citizens and all those inbetween.

Volunteers also enrich the community through cultural endeavors and activities. Condsider these couple events:

n The recent production of the “Razzle Dazzle Revue.” While the director and others may be paid a stipend, the actors and most of the stage crew generally give their time.

n The annual Summerfest weekend in which many, many volunteers plan events to interest our own residents, as well as others.

Perhaps where volunteers arguably shine the most is when they come together to help another with little urging, as evidenced by the organized benefits for people in need.

It seems there is no shortage of people to work the benefit, and businesses step up to donate food, merchandise and other items to ensure a successful fundraiser to help a family.

There is also no shortage of people willing to attend these benefits and donate more than the price of a meal to help someone else. It is mind-boggling how much happens on the backs of our volunteers.

So as April passes to May, look around you at all the people who volunteer and take a moment to thank them — and yourself — for sharing what time and skill to make Fergus Falls a better place to live.

Debbie Irmen’s column runs Thursday.