When I first moved to Squamish a few years ago, I couldn't quite put my finger on what was so different about the community.
Sure, people here were a lot more physically active than in the myriad other places I have lived while trying to further a career in journalism - but it wasn't the fact that there were more athletes or athletically-inclined people that made the town stand out in my mind. It was something else.
This past weekend, while covering various events and completing interviews for several stories for The Chief, it finally struck me: Squamish isn't the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada (as the sign says) it is actually the Volunteer Capital of the World!
I came to this dramatic conclusion after speaking with, among others, Test of Metal director and organizer Cliff Miller and others associated with the event, as well as some locals involved with this weekend's Relay For Life. There are so many events, festivals, fundraisers and organizations that need help in Squamish that it boggles the mind that there are enough people willing to give up lots of their valuable free time to make sure everything happens. I look at my own, ever-full schedule and can't imagine how I would be able to fit volunteering for something into the mix. I know that by not volunteering, I put myself in the minority here and open myself up for a slew of critical emails and invitations to volunteer for something. As Test of Metal volunteer coordinator Suzanne Kenney told me, "In Squamish, you almost feel you don't belong if you don't volunteer."
But, in my own feeble defense, I spend my time covering all the events, festivals, fundraisers and organizations, so really I should be considered a sort of honourary volunteer, right? No? I'm still getting lots of emails this week, aren't I?
I'm pretty confident that the majority of people reading these words right now are active volunteers in the community and my question is: "How do you find the time?" With work and family, I personally haven't even been able to find time to get a decent haircut this month, let alone spend hours or days on an event or organization that betters the community. And, honestly, it bothers me, because I know there are people out there with more children than I have and work schedules that I'm sure are just as hectic, yet they are out there, making Squamish a community of which we can all be proud.
I guess if I do want to really belong to this community, and vice-versa, I will have to bite the bullet and become involved, else become nothing more than a talking head here at The Chief.
So, to all the volunteers, I salute you - and I will see you out there
