Chowing down on a delectable dinner catered by Elizabeth Prinz of Dinner for You, Jasper鈥檚 volunteers received some much-deserved recognition April 23, at the municipality鈥檚 Volunteer Celebration Banquet at the Jasper Activity Centre.
The evening was a chance for organizations in town to treat their volunteers to dinner and a show, and pour a little praise on them along the way.
Fire Chief Greg Van Tighem hosted the evening, praising not only the individuals who give their time in the community, but also the local businesses that donate to the plethora of deserving causes and organizations in town.
鈥淰olunteering is a choice, and in your case it鈥檚 your choice, and you鈥檝e chosen to help out to make a difference in our community, and to make a difference in the lives of others,鈥� he told the crowd.
鈥淎ll of you here tonight have freely made the choice and commitment, and for this we thank you. This evening is for you, it鈥檚 a token of appreciation from the Municipality of Jasper, from the people in Jasper, and the people who visit Jasper, because without you folks this beautiful community we call Jasper would not be near what it is鈥攁nd it truly is a wonderful place. So thank you very much.鈥�
Van Tighem also took time to give special recognition to the seniors present at the banquet, whom he said have contributed 鈥渢housands of hours of volunteerism鈥� to Jasper over their long lives.
Along with high praise, Deputy Mayor Brian Nesbitt, acting on behalf of Mayor Richard Ireland, also handed out several awards to Jasperites who have served on municipal committees, including the Mayor鈥檚 Award for Distinguished Voluntary Service in 2013 to Kim Stark, for her work with Arts Jasper.
After the awards, A cappella group Hoja provided the entertainment for the evening, delighting the crowd with everything from Gregorian chants to Lady Gaga covers. At one point they even brought a red-faced Nesbitt up on stage for a honky-tonk dance number.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to kill Mayor Ireland,鈥� Nesbitt joked after the singers strong-armed him into an on-stage air guitar solo.
Trevor Nichols
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