For one night forego the sporting gear and slip into something a little more fancy for the second annual Sport 4 Life Cochrane Volunteer Recognition Awards.
The organization’s Volunteer Appreciation Night is set to run April 11 at the Cochrane RancheHouse. The VIP hour starts at 6 p.m., with doors officially opening at 7 p.m.
“These volunteers need to be supported, recognized and celebrated for their time, effort and training,” said Lea Norris of Sport 4 Life. “These are the people who enable our kids to be active and engage in physical literacy.”
Tristan Walker, fresh off his experience at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, has been booked as the keynote speaker for the evening. The local luger will regale the crowd with tales of his career and how volunteers have helped him reach for success, said Norris.
Partygoers will also be able to bid on a variety of items in the silent auction, including zip line passes from WinSport, gym memberships, yoga passes and a year-long family membership to Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre. The Bow Valley High School Jazz Band will provide entertainment for the evening.
Awards will be presented in the following categories: Leader/Coach of the Year, Local Business Contributor of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Spirit of Sport, Lifetime Achievement, as well as a Sport 4 Life award given to a volunteer in each member sport organization.
Last year, the selection committee awarded two volunteers with Lifetime Achievement nods: Walter Fankhauser and Reiner Sattler.
“We spend a lot of time rushing to practices, thinking of the next event — it’s time to stop, celebrate and reflect,” said Norris.
Tickets for the volunteer appreciation night can be purchased at the Big Hill Leisure Pool for $30 (for members) or $35 (non-members). For more information, contact Tracy Guthrie at 403-981-7669.
Anyone interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities or becoming involved with Sport 4 Life Cochrane can check out sport4lifecochrane.com.
