For Ellen Britchford of Penticton, volunteering became more rewarding than supporting the community after she was chosen to win $500 West Jet voucher.
The South Okanagan Community Connections Volunteer Centre partnered with with McLeod & Schneiderat Lawyers to put together five draws of gift certificates to reward the volunteers that help make the many organizations and events in the region run smoothly.
At the annual volunteer appreciation breakfast, part of national volunteer appreciation week in April, the centre hosts a free pancake breakfast with the City of Penticton.
This year, the centre announced that all the volunteers would be entered into the draw when they volunteered, with the more volunteering increasing their chances of winning.
Britchford dedicated hours to the Elvis Festival, Granfondo, Ironman, Ha Ha Kidzfest, Peach City Beach Cruise, Penticton Scottish Festival, Pentastic Jazz Festival and Oliver's Festival of the Grape.
If those weren't enough, she also volunteered for Penticton's Peach Festival.
“In every act of kindness, exceptional volunteers remind us of the power of giving," said Peach Fest's president Shawna Tinga. “On behalf of the entire board of directors, we thank Ellen for her incredible volunteerism.”
Britchford says she plans to use the money to flight first to Salt Lake City to visit a friend of 54 years.
“We are delighted to be supporting volunteers in our community," said one of the firm's partners, Megan Amanda McLeod. “Volunteering is so rewarding - to the organizations and events which rely on the volunteers, to the users of the services and events, and to the volunteers themselves. While there were a number of individual winners of the draw we think all of the volunteers were winners and we thank them so much for their efforts and time.”
