Celebrating Our Community Volunteers

In celebration of National Volunteer Month, the community of Winchester is gearing up for a grand Volunteer Celebration Day on Friday, April 11th, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, at the Our Health Campus. The event aims to honor the invaluable contributions of volunteers who continuously make impactful changes within the community. In a recent episode of 'The Valley Today,' host Janet Michael was joined by Sharen Gromling, Executive Director of Our Health; Kit Redmer, Communications Director for the City of Winchester; and Andy Gail, CEO of United Way Northern Shenandoah Valley, to discuss the importance of volunteerism and what attendees can expect at the celebration. The celebration will be teeming with activities embodying the community spirit. From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, families can enjoy a range of activities including food, beverages, bounce houses, games, and face painting. Sharon expressed excitement about recognizing the volunteers' contributions, emphasizing, 'We can't do the work we do in our nonprofit organizations without their help.' The community is invited to participate in the festivities and say thank you to their local volunteers. Janet highlighted special appearances to be made during the event's program from 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Mayor Les Veach will be delivering a proclamation, echoing the volunteer week proclamation by former Mayor David Smith, and presenting the Golden Shovel and Silver Shovel Awards to outstanding volunteersm from the city's SnowBusters program. Andy touched upon the diversity in volunteering by mentioning projects from physical labor to administrative tasks, showing that there's a role for everyone. Highlighting Day of Caring, he hopes to inspire more community involvement. Emily Lopez Bonilla, a student from Handley and heavily involved in the Interact Club, will also be speaking about the impact of volunteering on the new generation. Sharen pointed out the role of the Volunteer Action Center that connects volunteers to nonprofit needs and mentioned the impressive valuation of volunteer hours. Winchester CCAP's Andrea Cosans will speak about the community refrigerator program, relocated just outside the Our Health office building, which is maintained by volunteers. The event underscores the symbiotic relationship between businesses and the community. Businesses involved in the discount card program are giving back to volunteers, recognizing their crucial role. Kit noted the enthusiasm of local businesses in supporting this initiative, despite economic challenges, highlighting their commitment to community service. The celebration is not just a recognition event but also an opportunity for community members to learn more about volunteering. Sharen noted, 'We will shamelessly be recruiting' new volunteers, with booths and sign-up forms available on-site. The conversation beautifully underscored how volunteerism is woven into the fabric of Winchester. With heartfelt gratitude towards volunteers and a shared enthusiasm for continued community support, the town is set to celebrate the spirit of giving. The program's spirit was best summed up by Sharen's words on mutual admiration and the deep appreciation for community efforts: 'We appreciate you.'