Manitoba Summer Games

let the magic begin

Thank you to all of the Volunteers!

2008 Power Smart Summer Games Volunteers A long time ago I volunteered for an event in Winnipeg. It was not well organized and so was not very successful, as I was walking into the volunteer windup I talked to an older gentleman who told me that the success of any event is measured by the turn out at the volunteer windup. I laughed, but low and behold about five percent of the volunteers attended.

Ever since then I have rated most things I do by the attendance at a windup or by the returning customers.

Well, on Sunday night at the 2008 Power Smart Games Windup I was astounded by the turnout. Someone called and told me that a lot of people were at the hall. When I arrived and saw the number of vehicles in the parking lot, I stopped and cried. WOW what a lot of volunteers took the time to come to the windup.

That was my final confirmation that the 2008 Power Smart Summer Games were a huge success.

A few years back we started a project and it just grew and grew. We set up our division chairs that, in turn, set up their committee chairs that, in turn, recruited their committees who, in turn, found many volunteers. When I started on this project I never thought we could entice more than 1 in 3 people to volunteer, raise funds and donations over the value of $500,000 or be able to upgrade our facilities by more than $400,000.

The Host Society for the Games, along with the assistance of the Manitoba Games Council and Sport Manitoba, just kept expanding to an unbelievable level. We could have hosted the games with fewer volunteers but it would not have been so much fun or such a success.

I hope every volunteer had the opportunity to meet someone new or make a new friend.

For me, the games and its dedicated volunteers have brought the town and the surrounding areas together and alive once again. I believe every community needs to be reminded of how valuable it is. Together we definitely did it!

For every volunteer that took the time to donate some time to the Games I am proud to be associated with you. Please take the time to pat someone on the back and say job well done.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers that worked endlessly, pitched in where needed and enjoyed the Games. I would volunteer to work with each and every one of you again.

Please take pride in what we have accomplished and feel proud of what you have all been a part of.

I would also like to thank the Town of Carman, Rural Municipality of Dufferin, Prairie Rose School Division, Dufferin Agricultural Society, and Dufferin Christian School for their partnerships in this endeavor.