This is not a rant or a rave, but an observation and a challenge.
Over the years I have noticed that Wallaceburg seems to be like stagnant water. We seem to be stuck on what happened in 1998, the amalgamation, and what we lost. We as a whole seem to be losing our identity. Is it because of the amalgamation or is it because we have given up?
When it comes to someone in need, may it be illness or due to an accident (fire etc), we seem to band together as a community to accomplish great feats, while our generosity flows strongly.
Yet when it comes to the needs of the community as a whole, we seem to lack in spirit of helping out. We lack the will and/or time for volunteering where and when we can.
Not everyone, I know there are quite a few that do, but from the sounds and sight of it, only about 3% of our population volunteers in different areas and many times some are doing double or triple duty.
To Them: I thank you for your service, thank you for your time and thank you for your dedication to this community.
I know we are all busy with our lives, but think if even half of Wallaceburg’s population volunteered two hours a week. Together we could have 10,000 hours a week accomplished. That would be 520,000 hours a year. Together we could make this community a rave in all of Southwestern Ontario.
Together we could make this community grow beyond our wildest dreams. Together we could accomplish more than any government can. But we must unite together, working in the present while looking towards the future. We must live up to our Town’s motto/creed “Onward And Upward”.
We CAN do anything together we are 10,000 strong but we must unite as a community with one common goal to move “Onward and Upward”.
Here is my challenge…
We all have a passion, talent or skill, let’s use them to make a difference in our community.
If you love fireworks, join the Canada Day Committee.
If you love gardening, or are an expert, join the garden club.
If you love to cook, help out the community kitchens.
If you love old cars or boats, join the WAMBO committee or volunteer.
If you love Halloween, volunteer for the Haunted House.
If you love crafts, create something that can be sold and donate the money or donate the item.
If you love music, help out with next year’s Otter Creek Jam Fest.
If you love to drive, help out CHAPS and become a volunteer driver for elderly and disabled.
If you love Christmas, help out with the Christmas Parade.
If you love to bike, join the Bike Rodeo committee or volunteer.
If you are interested in the security of our town, join the Neighbourhood Watch and work with the police.
If you are worried about our communities natural wildlife and nature, join the Sydenham Field Naturalists.
There are so many opportunities for us to help out.
If you are not sure how your passion, skill or talent can be utilized ask around I am sure there is a group, organization or charity that would appreciate your help and expertise. We all have something we can give of ourselves to help create the community we dream of.
With a new year on the horizon, let us all work together to ending this year on a high note and welcome the future years with a helping hand.
Thank you for reading this and remember: Don’t ask what Chatham-Kent can do for us but ask what we can do for Wallaceburg.
Onward and Upward Wallaceburg.
Sherri Wills
Wallaceburg, ON
