This past week, we here at the Sailing Center had the pleasure of hosting our annual Volunteer and Community Partner Recognition Event. It was an inspiring evening that really brought home the incredible work that our volunteers and partners have put in this season. Though the weather was a little on the blustery side to start, it calmed down just in time for the presentations to get started–the few drops of rain that hit us that afternoon cleared up and left us with nothing but a gorgeous Lake Champlain sunset. As we merrily munched on donated Boloco burritos, several of our partners and volunteers spoke about their experiences working with the CSC over the course of the 2010 season. Volunteers Wyatt and Sue both described their experiences in the Mates program, in which CSC users agree to volunteer regularly throughout the season in exchange for full access to our facilities. Education Director Jen Guimaraes presented awards to several of our community partners, including two volunteer WAVES initiative speakers, Vic Izzo and Ted Hart, who came in this summer to do lunchtime science lessons with our campers. Our presentations were rounded out with a keynote address by Yves Bradley of Pomerleau Real Estate, who spoke to the significance of civic engagement in our community and applauded the dedication of the Sailing Center’s volunteers.
As a relatively new member of the Sailing Center team, it was amazing to see so many of our supporters in one place and to learn about the ways that they value and support this community. Hearing about the impact that the volunteer program has had on so many of our users, and listening to stories about the way that the Sailing Center’s partnerships with local nonprofits has supported their work, brought home the incredible power that our programs have. As the sun set and the event drew to a close, I felt proud both of the Sailing Center’s work and also of the countless hours that our volunteers and partners have put in to realize our mission.
