It's National Volunteer Week, and although one Airdrie volunteer would never ask for it, she deserves all of the recongition being given during the week.

Since moving to Airdrie 30 years ago, Wendy Contant has made volunteering part of her life.  When asked which organizations she volunteers with, Contant can only come up with an abbreviated list.  A lengthy list, but certainly not all of them.  "Ooh, there's lots of different things.  I volunteer at the nursing home, at Bethany.  At Cedarwood, love working with the seniors and visiting with the Alzheimer's patients.  I do the rodeo, I bartend, I work at triathlons, I do babysitting for Community Links, so a good variety of everything."  

The thing about volunteering, Contant says, is that you get as much out of it as you put in.  "My reward is it fills my heart completely because, just visiting with people and stuff, I really do enjoy that, very much."

Contant can't imagine not being a volunteer and feels all people should feel the same way.  "I think everybody should volunteer. It helps your community, it's interesting. You learn lots of things about the organizations and you're helping people. It really is a win - win."

Contant's amazing array of volunteer endeavors are being recognized in other ways this year as well.  She has been named a finalist for the 2017 Amazing Airdrie Women Awards in the "Amazing Heart" category.  The awards will be presented at a luncheon May 12th.

As to why she does it, Contant says the answer is simple.  "I just love helping them.  They're all good organizations.  They're all helping the community in many ways, helping the residents.  I'm helping them help others."

National Volunteer Week runs until April 29th.  Airdrie is one of over 90 communities in Alberta holding events to recognize and honour local volunteers.

 

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