One of our newsroom's stories this week that generated some chatter in our comment section was a piece on a perceived decline in volunteering in Cochrane. The sources our reporter spoke to for that story all seemed to concur that there's been a noticeable drop in the number of people in town who are willing to volunteer at local community events.
As the article (and many of the commenters on our Facebook page) expressed, there are myriad reasons for what has led to a possible decrease in Cochrane's usually robust volunteer base. Some speculated it is a generational difference, while others hypothesized the lingering social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is the main factor. Another expressed it's the reality of how busy everyone's lives are these days – there's no more energy to expend on volunteering. All are probably right in their own way.
Regardless, thanks to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, this summer is seeing the return of many of Cochrane's hallmark community events, including the recent Canada Day festivities, ShredzFest, and Hair of the Dog fundraiser, among others. There will be plenty more to enjoy in the coming weeks, such as local Stampede breakfasts, Cochrane Classic Bull Riding, the Cochrane Fair, Cochrane Food Fest, etc.
With so many upcoming events in mind, we would encourage our readers to consider donning their volunteering cap and donating their time to contribute to the success of these initiatives. Volunteering at a public event can be just as fun and rewarding as attending for any other reason. It's also a great way to give back to the community, while at the same time meeting like-minded individuals and expanding your social circle.
If you're interested in becoming a volunteer and have not done so before, there are plenty of organizations that can help get you started, such as Family Community Support Services, Cochrane and Area Events Society, Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area, the Cochrane Activettes, Cochrane and Area Humane Society, and many more.
