National Volunteer Week is upon us! The Strathmore & District Agricultural Society would like to take this time to highlight some of our outstanding volunteer that help us out!
Today we would like to introduce you to Alex & Terry Toth! The couple are relatively new to our organization as they begun their volunteer journey in 2022 with the Celebration of Lights! Since their start, they have both been great help in setting up and organizing everything to do with the Celebration of Lights park including Santa’s Cottage! We asked Alex & Terry about their volunteer experience & why they think it’s important.
1. Why do you volunteer?
Alex: “I volunteer to try to share my experiences, knowledge and create a wide social circle!”
Terry: “To give back - whether it is your community or to others. I think it’s important to help others where you can and share your talents and gifts when you can.
2. What motivates you to stay involved?
Alex: “Motivation for being and staying involved is to keep occupied and expand the knowledge of Strathmore, its people and its history by being a part of its future. Expanding my (our) friends and acquaintances”
Terry: “I like how this organization welcomes all and makes you feel like apart of their family”
3. In your opinion, what is the most important work this organization does?
Alex: “The AG in Strathmore is an essential organization brining people together. It creates an atmosphere of past and present activities while preparing a greater future for Strathmore”
Terry: “Bringing the community together. There is no better example of this then the Celebration of Lights. The community comes together working a multitude of jobs and hours to make this event happen every year, and making the thousands of visitors feel welcome and apart of it. It is such a wonderful experience to be a part of”
4. What do you hope the organization will achieve in the near future/long term?
Alex: “The AG will be successful and reach its long term goals through the excellent people involved in the every day running, the people planning as well as initiating future plans and the excellent board of directors it supports. Lets not forget the group of volunteers and their leaders it takes to pull off any of the AG Societies events”
Terry: “I would love to see this event continue to in the direction it has taken this year. With all of the great support it has I am positive that this will happen. Long term I think this event, as all things, must continue to change and evolve to stay relevant thus ensuring it’s survival”
5. Does anyone in your life play a role in supporting your involvement or providing inspiration?
Alex: “The people (volunteers) I have been involved with are the greatest people for supporting involvement, creating a want to the involved atmosphere thus giving support and inspiration to ideas and relating experiences to help expand and grow as well as improve the experience created for the public. Seeing the joy on the faces of the visitors at the COL is a fulfilling reward!”
Terry: “My husband is my greatest supporter. But along with that the amount of support from all of the volunteers with the Celebration of Lights and staff from the AG Society was overwhelming. Their welcoming support inspires me to become a better person”
