Today, the spotlight is on Smoky River; a municipality located in Northwestern Alberta. We would like to introduce Anita from the Smoky River FCSS, who has graciously answered our questions about Smoky River, National Volunteer Week, and more!
Get to know Anita
Anita is a Community Program Coordinator for the Smoky River FCSS. She believes that volunteers have a profound impact, stating that they are “the soul of a community.” She further expressed her appreciation for Smoky River Volunteers, particularly, that they are “willing to share their time” and “expertise.”
An Overview of Smoky River FCSS
Smoky River FCSS is located in the “Honey Capital of Canada”, Falher. Their team provides a wide range of community support services to the surrounding area, encompassing 6 different municipalities. They offer many different services, ranging from summer youth programs, parenting support, and assistance with government applications. One of the more unique services they offer, which arose from the unique needs of their rural location is their Smoky River Transportation System, which helps connect their residents with services across their region.
National Volunteer Week Celebrations
Every April, Smoky River FCSS celebrates National Volunteer Week by providing volunteer recognition in some form. In 2024, nominations were gathered from community organizations across the region for individuals who have supported the community, and the nominees were invited to a supper held in the Hamlet of Jean Cote. Nearly 300 volunteers were in attendance, really showing how strong the community is woven together by volunteerism. At the supper, each municipality had a representative to present certificates to the nominees. Four special recognition awards were also presented for the following categories: volunteer family of the year, lifetime volunteer, volunteer of the year and youth volunteer of the year. In addition to this, 50 special recognition certificates were given out to community members who went above and beyond. Through the years, they have seen this event grow and foster a deeper sense of community.
Photo Credit: Giselle Bouchard
“When we started this event three years ago we had 75 volunteers, [in 2024] we had 320 nominated and 275 attend the event. Through this event, people become motivated to make a difference in the communities and support all of our unsung heroes! With different locations each year, we want to ensure that all of our volunteers are able to attend if they want to. Therefore, we organize a ride service through our Smoky River Transportation, which offers handicap-accessible rides.)
How “Every Moment Matters” to the Smoky River FCSS
The theme for National Volunteer Week in 2024 was “Every Moment Matters.” To Smoky River FCSS, this meant recognizing how important their volunteers are, regardless of how they contribute. Both big and small efforts are crucial to the success and functioning of their community – something we also believe strongly about!
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity for organizations across the country to celebrate and express appreciation for their volunteers. Volunteer Alberta and the Government of Alberta work closely to administer funding to help celebrate volunteerism within our local communities. Over the years, we have loved seeing how these celebrations have taken shape across Alberta and wanted to share with you some of this joy.
Let’s remember that every moment we share, every hand we lend, and every act of kindness counts. Volunteerism isn’t just about giving time; it’s about creating connections, building communities, and making memories that last a lifetime. Thanks for joining us on this journey, we hope to see you around, Alberta!
Photo Credit: Giselle Bouchard
Simone Michalski (She/Her)
Political Science student at the University of Alberta
Simone is an undergraduate student studying Political Science at the University of Alberta. She
has been placed with Volunteer Alberta through her CSL (Community Service-Learning) class.
She has volunteered with a couple of organizations throughout her high school career, but
currently looks forward to expanding her knowledge by working with non-profit communities in
Alberta. Upon graduating, she hopes to further her education and attend graduate school for
family law. Some of her hobbies include writing, sewing, cooking, and finding different ways to
give back to her community.