Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 02/01) - About 100 people turned out for the Town of Inuvik Volunteer Recognition Event.

Theresa Ross, Inuvik's director of recreation services, said the event, which took place Oct. 27 at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex, held special meaning, being as this is the International Year of the Volunteer.

A dinner was held, Inuvik Twin Lakes MLA Roger Allen spoke, and Mayor Peter Clarkson presented certificates to about 55 organizations.

"Representatives just came forward and shook hands with the mayor, and the rest of the group that were present just stood up to be recognized," Ross said.

She explained that people let her know about a few other volunteers that were missed, so they will be added onto the list for next year.

After the presentations, everyone was handed $500 in fake money so they could buy tickets for draws, with about 30 prizes being handed out.

"If they wanted more money, they could go to our casino," Ross said. "They could make more money to buy more tickets to have a better chance of winning the prizes."

Ross said organizers plan to continue having the recognition event be more community based in future years, and that volunteers play a large role within the community.

"When you think of about 60 voluntary organizations in a community this size, that's huge. Each one of those has their own little base," Ross said.

"Yes, we see names that appear in three or four organizations, but by and large there's a good percentage of our population involved in volunteering, and that's good."