Visitor's Center volunteers gather |
| May 21, 2011 |
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By Colet Allen On Wednesday, 15 people who volunteer at the Bonners Ferry Visitors Center gathered at the lovely Great Northwest Territories Event Center for their annual spring meeting and potluck. This is an event that serves many purposes; business meeting, a chance to review where we've been and where we are going, a meet and greet for the volunteers and their spouses, and a chance for us to thank them for their many contributions. The center could not remain open and providing the service it does without them. LaDonna Dinning was recognized for the wonderful care she provided the Visitors Center rose garden last summer. She dead-headed every rose bush and kept them blooming all summer long, enhancing the center with their color and fragrance. As a token of our appreciation, she received tools, gloves, a sun hat and our gratitude. Dinner was a potluck with wonderful food, and no one went away hungry. The Visitors Center still needs more volunteers to fill out the schedule for this coming summer. We have picked up a few folks, but we still need more. If you like to meet people and help them learn about our beautiful city and county and can spare about four hours a month, the Visitors Center is the place for you. We encourage the buddy system, and that teens with an adult get involved and work together. We have several teams doing just that, and it not only builds friendships, but helps create a better experience for our guests. It's also a great way for parents and grandparents to spend quality time with their children or step children, teaching them the value of serving their community. When I retired I had a plan. I would do three main things: 1) Volunteer to give back a bit of the wonderful opportunities and share some of the fantastic life I've been fortunate to have led; 2) To travel and continue to see and enjoy this wonderful world we live in; and 3) To continue the life-long task of learning. What I didn't realize with volunteering is that you get far more back than you give. I have met some astounding people who have become my friends and my Boundary County family. These people enrich my life and constantly amaze me with their creativity, enthusiasm and grace that I experience through knowing them. I am constantly learning new skills, which fills that need to continue learning. I thank this community and am so appreciative of the opportunities that it provides me to continue to give and receive. The tasks at the Visitors Center are easy. You meet and greet folks, help them find the information they are looking for and, when the opportunity arises, you talk about "Idaho's Friendliest City" and Boundary County. This is the easy and fun part, and the opportunity arises often. In addition, you restock shelves as information goes out the door and ask folks to sign in. It's not hard work at all, and if you enjoy meeting people from other places, you'll find you enjoy it. Last year, over 10,000 people from around the world signed in at the Visitors Center. If this kind of opportunity appeals to you, please call me at (208) 267-8130 or email me at colet@meadowcrk.com. |