Luke Edwards, Niagara This Week
Port Colborne recognizes volunteers’ efforts
Last Wednesday was a night of relaxation and enjoyment for a group that works so hard to ensure others can enjoy Port Colborne’s many events and activities.
“I look around the room and I’m absolutely flabbergasted,” CAO Robert Heil told the crowd at the Italian Canadian Cultural Centre. He was speaking to many of Port Colborne’s volunteers, who came out to the city’s first volunteer recognition dinner.
“It’s so important what you do for the city. Your dedication is second to none in the province.”
Last fall Port Colborne council created a volunteer committee to look at the changing landscape of volunteerism and the need to properly recognize those who donate their time for city functions.
Coun. Angie Desmarais, a member of the committee, said the recognition dinner was just the first in a series of many changes local volunteers are going to see.
“This is the first step tonight,” she said. “We’re so fortunate to have such top notch volunteers.”
During the evening, Desmarais outlined the volunteer ambassador program the city is launching.
“It’s an opportunity to make someone’s visit to Port Colborne special and unique,” she said, explaining ambassadors will be sent out to welcome tourists to the community and help them with anything from Port Colborne’s history to transit routes and bike trails.
To start, ambassadors will be sent out to some of the city’s events, such as Flavours of Niagara and Canal Days, but Desmarais said the possibilities are endless.