The Town of Okotoks celebrated National Volunteer Week with a kick-off party Saturday at Pason Centennial Arena.

The Town invited volunteers to come out for an afternoon of door prizes, snacks, and stories about volunteerism in the Foothills.

Mayor Bill Robertson said the event was to thank volunteers for all they do to help the Town.

"It's to honour our volunteers in the community. Certainly, all the things that Okotoks does, all the events that we have, and so on, could not be done if we did not have a volunteer component. People coming out, giving their free time to make the community a better place. If we relied strictly on paid staff, we'd probably be able to do 5 per cent of all the activities that we do," Mayor Robertson said.

Mayor Robertson added that volunteers in Okotoks help keep town events like Light Up Okotoks, and Okotoks Chilifest running smoothly.

"There's our volunteer driver program... who will drive people to medical appointments, perhaps in the City of Calgary, perhaps just here in Okotoks, that they need to get to," Mayor Robertson said.

The Town will honor volunteers with a Volunteer Leadership Award ceremony Wednesday, April 10th. The ceremony will include awards for adults and students.

Mayor Robertson was joined for his speech at the Town's kick-off ceremony by a youth volunteer named Jada. Jada said she finds volunteering a great way to give back.

"I like being able to spend time with other people, and make an impact on the world without being paid," Jada said.

Volunteer Week will continue all this week, and include a booth at this weekend's Trade Show at the Okotoks Recreation Centre.

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