by Sylene Argent
Volunteers help unite a community and their talents and efforts are crucial in moving programs and services forward for the betterment of a cause or others. Though it is difficult to pay volunteers back for all they do, the Town of Essex was able to thank the long list of residents who serve on its committees and boards of Council during the annual Volunteer Appreciation Night, which was hosted last Friday evening at the Essex Centre Sports Complex.
“Where would we be without you people,” Ron McDermott asked, who was still Mayor of Essex at the time of the event. “We couldn’t ask for a better crowd. I have seen the amazing ways volunteers like yourselves contribute to the community. We know you don’t dedicate volunteer hours just for you. You do this because you believe in causes near and dear to your heart. You do it to make our community a better place.”
McDermott said he is grateful for all the contributions the volunteers dedicate to the community.
Essex’s Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche then recognized each committee and board of the Town of Essex, highlighting recent achievements and contributions. The Accessibility Advisory Committee was recognized for helping make the town more accessible and easier to navigate, like through the implementation of the Mobi Mats at Colchester Harbour.
The Arts, Culture, and Tourism Committee was recognized for hosting its fourth consecutive Tune Up the Parks summer music series, its sip and paint events, installing murals, and for hosting its art awards.
The Town also thanked those on the ELK Board, the Co-An Park Committee, the Police Services Board, and the Committee of Adjustments for their contributions. Those on the Colchester Harbour Steering Committee were recognized for working towards the divestiture of the harbour, those on the Essex Festival Committee were recognized for their commitment to the Fun Fest, the Flooding Advisory Committee was thanked for their guidance, and the Municipal Heritage Committee was recognized for putting on educational events.
The Essex Centre BIA, Meloche said, is a dedicated group of business owners who work toward beautifying the downtown area and hosting several events throughout the year. A major project this year was installing the pavilion in the Heritage Gardens Park, in partnership with the Town.
During the Volunteer Appreciation night, the Essex Centre BIA announced a commitment to place a large Christmas tree in the Heritage Gardens Park to recognize McDermott’s service to the community as Mayor and for acting at the Town’s liaison for the BIA.
The tree will not only beautify the downtown area all year round, but will be used for future Essex Centre Tree Lighting events.