Jasper celebrated the many volunteers that keep the community rolling at an appreciation dinner on April 14. 

A full house of volunteers were treated to a delicious Mexican dinner at the activity centre, where councillors Brian Skehill and Mike Day presented awards to outstanding contributors to the community. 

Greg Van Tighem, who was awarded for his own volunteer service, was the MC for the evening, kicking off the night by thanking the gathered volunteers. 

“Volunteering does indeed build communities,” he said. “Volunteers are involved in virtually all aspects of the Jasper community.”

The night featured a superhero theme to celebrate Jasper’s own superheroes in the form of volunteers. 

Once the dinner was finished, Day addressed the crowd ahead of the awards. 

“We cannot, must not, let ourselves take volunteers for granted,” he said. 

Day credited volunteers for helping turn the town of Jasper into a community, and said council chose to develop a “community” sustainability plan, rather than a “town” plan. He finished his speech by inviting the crowd to stand and applaud each other. Skehill then joined Day to present the awards. 

The volunteer appreciation awards were handed out to seven recipients who are finishing their time on a committee. They are: Kirsten Schmitten, Environmental Stewardship Advisory Committee; Sue Rowan, Jasper Library Board; Shelley Koebel, Jasper Library Board; Greg Van Tighem, Culture and Recreation Board; Roger Maltby, Health Advisory Committee; Laurie Buck, Greenspace Committee; Carol Smith, Greenspace Committee.

The biggest winner of the night was Helen Schwarz, who was honoured for her many years of service to the community with the Mayor’s Award for Distinguished Voluntary Service. The award is presented to a retiring volunteer. Schwarz has been involved with Arts Jasper for many years. While she was not a founding member of the organization, Schwarz joined shortly after the original members – Joyce Butler, Jim Collier, Dixie Elliot, Mildred Flanagan, Phyllis Jeffery, Fred Kofin, Tom Landers, Ann Ogilvy, Joyce Richards, and Pat Wilson – formed the organization in 1973. 

The award was kept a secret right up until the big reveal onstage. Schwarz said it was the surprise of a lifetime when her name was called. 

“When he said my name, I nearly fell off my chair,” Schwarz said.

The long-time volunteer got involved with Arts Jasper because she wanted to help bring a band program into Jasper’s schools, but credits the entire organization of Arts Jasper with creating great community programming for almost 40 years. 

“To these founders we must give the most credit to have developed an organization that has served our community so well.”

Schwarz was presented with a picture, and the announcement of her award prompted a lengthy standing ovation. 

“I will cherish the beautiful picture and accolades I received, thank you to all who put my name forward,” she said, adding that she enjoyed the dinner as well as the entertainment that followed.

Now that she has stepped down, Schwarz said the Arts Jasper board is in wonderful hands, and will continue to bring performances to Jasper. 

After the awards were presented, the entertainer for the evening, Matt Day performed his unique-to-Jasper comedy and music. Matt Day is the Jasper Park Lodge’s summer pianist. He has been performing for guests there since 2000, and has once again been invited back, along with his family, this summer. One of his greatest achievements was performing for Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 for the opening of the Royal Alberta Museum in Edmonton.