Staffers at the Ponoka and Rimbey Adult Learning Society want to show how much they have appreciated their dedicated volunteers.
A special event to do just that is set for April 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ponoka Jubilee Library (5604- 50th St.)
"We are inviting people who have volunteered this year, last year, and in the years before. It's not just for this particular year - it's for all of our volunteers," said Sharon Schwab, Ponoka Adult Learning coordinator.
"So I'm hoping we can get a good turnout."
There will be some foods catered, but Schwab is asking folks bring along dishes from their home cultures to round out the culinary experience as well.
"Food brings us all together - we want to have a luncheon where everybody brings something - sort of like a 'folk fest'," she said.
"Volunteers are vital to our work here. Everything they do, we appreciate so much because we couldn't run without them."
It's also going to be an extra-special event for Schwab, who is retiring at the end of April after four years with the organization.
"I'm thinking I need to do a few other things," she said with a laugh, adding it's been a great run at the society, and the role has brought her much joy and fulfillment.
"It's the people," she said of what has made it such an outstanding organization to be a part of.
"And of course the surprise for me was how many people are newcomers to Ponoka. I would like to put together a map that shows where so many of our people have come from to this centre over the past four years. It's been a big eye-opener," she added.
"The common theme there is that everyone I had met (from abroad) are just so happy to be here, and they are so thankful to be here. Their energy is very 'contagious'. I've been very happy to help them in any way that I can. The community has also been very, very responsive with any requests I have made, too.
"It's just been so positive - a really great thing. I think I've got some lifelong friends for sure. It's humbling, too.
"So the volunteer appreciation event is sort of a culmination of all of this - the people I've worked with over the past years. It's also to be able to celebrate everything that has gone on."
Meanwhile, students, staff, and volunteers at the learning society are keeping busy these days with a range of educational opportunities.
"We close for the month of July, but we do have a lot on the go now. Starting May 1, we will be having Spanish classes which will run through to June 12. These classes run Tuesdays and Thursdays," she said.
"We are also offering what we call 'mini courses' - they are only two hours each. They are a quick, drop-in kind of idea, and have to do with basic, digital literacy," she explained.
"On April 28, we are offering one called Email Basics, and on May 5 we have Video Calling which would cover platforms like Zoom. On May 12, we are offering Social Media Basics, too."
On May 26, a session called Online Entertainment will be held, which wraps up the mini courses for the spring.
The society was launched back in the early 1980s, and is run by a volunteer board of directors. They also have a joint relationship with Red Deer Polytechnic, Olds College, and Campus Alberta Central.
In Ponoka, their facility features a state-of-the-art lab where the licensed practical nursing program takes place, and a health care aid program is available as well. Besides these two programs, there is a broad selection of community learning opportunities.
Other courses include English Language Learning which is ongoing.
As to Rimbey operations, Schwab said there is one-on-one assistance there.
As mentioned, the learning society closes for the month of July, but come August, the staff is back at it and eager to hear from the community in terms of what kinds of programming and learning opportunities they’d like to see.
"I would hope that more people hear about us, and join in because it's all so positive," said Schwab. "It really, really is."
Find the Ponoka and Rimbey Adult Learning Society on Facebook, or call 403-783-3285 for more information.
