COLUMN: Village News – Great communities: Built by volunteers

Not-for-profit organizations exist to meet a need in the community. Most of us have a job and we have obligations to look after our place of residence, whether an owned or a rented home. But a community requires more than that to thrive.

For many people, participating in their church or religious organization is one of the ways that they contribute to making our community better. The church has been the main way to address needs in the community for 2,000 years. But our modern society has changed and there are now many charities that have formed to serve the local community and the global village, in which we find ourselves.

Besides the goal or mission of each not-for-profit organization, and the donations of financial support that most charities depend on, what every organization requires is volunteers.

Mennonite Heritage Village has been around for nearly 62 years and it is a prime example of the many ways that volunteers have been crucial to its mission (preserving and exhibiting the history of Mennonites in southern Manitoba) and to its service to the community (valuing our heritage, celebrating our values and accomplishments, and providing a basis for generosity and care for our friends and neighbours).

Volunteering can take many forms. Serving in leadership, as a board member is a valuable way to contribute to the health of an organization as it provides services to the community. Getting behind the ‘cause’ and offering your time, talents and enthusiasm is a wonderful way to empower an organization to achieve the goals it has set for itself. Many volunteers commit to an organization and offer their time every month, or every week, or even several days per week. However, not everyone can make such strong commitments, but many people want to help, so they assist on a ‘project’ basis. When they are contacted, they agree to help with a certain event, or a certain task that requires only a short time commitment. These are all ways that help the organization succeed and this contributes to a stronger community.

2026 is designated the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, highlighting the community impact of volunteering. Mennonite Heritage Village is one of several dozen organizations in the Steinbach area that will be celebrating the role of volunteers in their organizations. On April 18, MHV is hosting 11 of these organizations at a volunteer seminar and fair. Hear about the impact that volunteers have had locally and find out about each organization’s opportunities to -contribute with your time, knowledge and experience. Stop by on April 18. It’s free.

Upcoming events

April 4 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – The Great Easter Egg Hunt – This fun-filled community event brings together families for a day of Easter excitement including 65,000 chocolate eggs, root beer suckers, free Pret Coffee and tons of great family activities like crafts, face painting and games. Bring your Easter baskets and your little explorers for a morning of fun as they roam the MHV grounds in search of chocolate eggs.

April 9 at 7 p.m. – Local Authors’ Night. Join us for the MHV Local Author’s Night, featuring: a children’s book – Honk Honk by Millicent Brake, a memoir – Prairie Roots and Wings by Philippe Sabourin, a biography – Prayers from the Back Pew by Don Hoeppner, and a novel – Every Season Under Heaven by Harold Neufeld. Free evening with complementary refreshments.

April 14 – 7 p.m. – MHV Annual General Meeting – Hear reports from the MHV board and management, receive the auditor’s report, and participate in the election of directors. Coffee and refreshments will be served.

April 18 – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. – Volunteer Seminar & Fair – Interested in volunteering but don’t know where to start? Hear about the benefits of volunteering and get connected with local volunteering opportunities in Steinbach and area. Free admission for all.

April 19 – 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Wedding and Event Showcase at MHV. Whether you’re planning a wedding, a corporate event, or a family gathering, the MHV Wedding and Events Showcase is the perfect time to see how MHV can be a part of your next group event.