It was an exciting evening at the Heartland Youth Center on March 19 for the annual Volunteer Appreciation Awards.
Each year, the youth center hosts the event to highlight those who give their time and efforts back to the community of Stettler.
2018 Heartland Youth Center Volunteer Appreciation Award Winners
Nicole Blumhagen Memorial Award - in recognition of outstanding volunteer contribution to the club and the community: Torch Club member Cameron Lang and Keystone member Evan Bogner
Benny Green “Whistle While You Work” Memorial Award - in recognition of embracing community service work with a smile and positive attitude: Natasha Keddy
Lloyd’s Leaders Award - in recognition of outstanding leadership and effort by a teen volunteer: Madison Kuefler
Kalysta’s Kindness Award - in recognition of a HYC member that models kindness and compassion to others: Evan Bogner
HYC Corporate Cares Award - in recognition of outstanding and long time support: Heartland Bowl-Robert Gallagher, and the Stettler & District Agricultural Society
Annual General Meeting
The Heartland Youth Center also held their 2018 AGM during the gathering on Monday, March 19. Before the awards ceremony got underway, the audited financial statements for 2017 were approved, and an auditor was appointed for this year.
Support for the Heartland Youth Center is provided by both the Town and County of Stettler, as well as the United Way of Central Alberta. A number of community organizations and businesses also assist such as the Kinnettes, Superfluity, and the Fenn Ladies Club and Warden Ladies Club to name a few.
KidSport and the Canadian Tire JumpStart programs also contribute to the youth center throughout the year to help support program fees.
Nominations were passed for the HYC’s Board of Directors, and presentations were made by the Boys and Girls Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters on the programs they offer. Community members then watched as the kids acted out skits of activities they’ve taken part in at the youth center.
Volunteer Efforts
Next, the meeting went over the importance of giving back to the community, and the work that was done over the last year. In 2017, volunteers offered over 3,500 hours of time to the youth centre, with over 1,200 of those hours coming from teens in the community.
Despite this, there is still a need for male mentors for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Contact the Heartland Youth Center at 403-742-5437 if you have some free time to be a youth mentor.
Facility Renovations
Those in attendance were also told of the work to the facility that’s been ongoing over the last year. HYC has expanded into what was the Scouts room, and are renovating it to expand the Kids in the Kitchen program.
The sod in the backyard has also been replaced, and new kid-friendly picnic tables will be purchased. A car park will also be built along the north end of the building to provide shelter for the bus in the winter, and a shaded outdoor area for the kids to eat lunch and do crafts in the summer.
Upcoming Fundraisers
Finally, an update was given on one of the youth centre’s major fundraisers of the year. The 26th annual Awesome Auction will be on Saturday, June 2 at the Stettler Community Hall.
This year’s theme is the Kentucky Derby, after a successful East Coast Kitchen Party theme last year to celebrate 25 years.
The Heartland Youth Center is also putting the finishing details on an event this summer to celebrate 35 years of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, and 30 years for the Boys and Girls Club in Stettler.
landin.chambers@stettlerindependent.com
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