This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Humboldt's Citizen of the Year for 2011. I also got to write about the accomplishments of the other five fine nominees for the award. And I have to say, I'm very impressed.
Because it's not easy to volunteer time. No matter what these nominees say.
Our Citizen of the Year this year is one most people know. Rev. Alvin Hingley is a very familiar face in Humboldt. If you've ever attended Humboldt's Remembrance Day service, he's the man, usually in a kilt, who leads the service every year. Reverend Al, as most know him, though he is now a retired clergyman, has given to this community in a huge number of ways over the years. He's given his passion, his talent and his time to do things that we will not only thank him for now, but many years down the road.
And it all started, he said, when he was young. He started to volunteer his time at his church. And his volunteer efforts just grew from there.
And I think that's an important point to make.
Volunteers are not born. They are grown. The people who make a difference in our communities don't spring from the womb with "to-do" lists in their hands, ready to save the world. They were taught how and why to give back by the people around them, most often parents, grandparents, teachers or other influential people who showed them the benefits of volunteerism.
But that learning doesn't have to start in childhood. It can start at any point in a person's life, whether it's when they graduate from high school, start working, start a family, or after they've retired and have more time to give. One of the very wonderful things about life is that it's never too late to change. That means it's never too late to start giving more to those around you that you can help.
You don't have to start huge, and go crazy. You'll just burn yourself out. Start slow and start small. Get on the board of something that you're interested in. Or offer your services to one of the many clubs in the community. Volunteer at your church, or at your workplace. Or just do something nice for someone else, like shovel a walkway clear of snow, or help an older person get their groceries to the car. There's so much that can be done.
Volunteering definitely has benefits. Not only will you see a difference in your community, you can meet some pretty fantastic people. With all the new people in Humboldt and the surrounding area, it's an excellent way to welcome newcomers or, if you are a newcomer, to form some strong community ties.
Because making where you live a better place is definitely a group effort. Reverend Al was sure to make that clear in his interview. He made sure to mention that he was definitely not alone in the completion of some of his accomplishments. There were always people there with him, working with him, to reach a common goal.
He was pleased with the honour of being named Citizen of the Year, but not because it singled him out. The recognition of one, he feels, is recognition for all. That's how it is with volunteers.
