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‘It’s what keeps the town going’: District of Elkford hosts volunteer appreciation event

It was the first volunteer appreciation event in Elkford since COVID
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Guillaume Goggin is the District of Elkford’s 2022 Citizen of the Year. He was introduced to members the volunteer community at a volunteer appreciation event at Elkford’s Community Conference Centre on Saturday, Apr. 30, 2022. (Joshua Fischlin/The Free Press)

The District of Elkford held it’s first volunteer appreciation event since COVID on Saturday (Apr. 30).

Councillor Steve Fairbairn said the usually-annual event is a recognition for those who volunteer around town.

“It’s what keeps the town going,” he said.

At the event at the Community Conference Centre, 2022 Citizen of the Year, Guillaume Goggin was presented with some Elkford swag.

“This community runs on volunteerism, it really does,” Fairbairn said.

Some examples of volunteer organizations include the Lion’s Club, Wapiti Ski Club, Mountain Meadows Golf Club, the Elkford Snowmobile Association, the Elkford Nordic Ski Club, the Elkford ATV Club, the Elkford Curling Centre, the Elkford Snow in Summer Garden Club, and more.

Fairbairn said: “Really, we’d have very few services and activities in town for ourselves if we didn’t do it ourselves.”

“Volunteerism is absolutely the backbone of Elkford — really of most small towns, but specifically for Elkford.”

“People get to know each other, people love what they’re doing, and volunteering their time. And we all benefit from what we all volunteer doing.”

For his part, Goggin, who moved to the town about five years ago, stepped up to organize the 2019 triathlon when no one else would. He and some friends made it happen, he said.

“The last two years have been a bit tougher, but we’re back at it this year.”

Goggin is also the president of the Elkford Trails Alliance (ETA). He said the idea to start the alliance was Katherine Russell’s, who is currently the vice president of the ETA.

“I think, when you want something to happen, like the trails or the triathlon, you need to step up and just organize it yourself,” Goggin said.

READ MORE: New trail projects planned for Elkford and Sparwood

READ MORE: Elkford council awards grants to Elkford Trails Alliance, Elkford Triathlon Society


@fishynewswatch
josh.fischlin@thefreepress.ca

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