CHESTER — The City of Chester is launching a new program dedicated to volunteerism.
The City of Chester recognizes that volunteers are the life blood of a community and it appreciate the vital role they play in helping us deliver high-quality community services.
The city recognize the huge contribution volunteers make toward the success of the Chester Parks and Recreation Department’s programs, activities, events, our community and our services.
The Making A Difference Volunteer Program will communicate clearly, offer defined roles and expectations, provide proper training to volunteers, provide organized events/programs, be considerate of the physical needs of our volunteers, be appreciative for their donation of time and talent.
Feedback will be heard and considered.
The city will ensure its volunteers have a positive experience while volunteering.
It knows it can be hard to find time to volunteer, however, the benefits of volunteering can be enormous.
Volunteering offers vital help to the community, but the benefits can be even greater for the volunteer.
Volunteering can help individuals meet and make new friends, learn new skills, and even feel happier and healthier. There are so many benefits to volunteering, and it truly feels good to give back to our community.
The City’s Making A Difference Volunteer Program highlights the ways volunteers can connect with volunteer opportunities in the community.
Volunteers take on important roles in community events, programs, activities and services and serve as models of good citizenship.
Volunteers provide the city with a broad source of expertise, talent, and people power for Chester’s events, programs, activities and services.
Whatever an individual’s talent or interest is, there is a volunteer opportunity.
Volunteers are essential to the City of Chester’s activities, programs, services and events and it intends to recognize them for their service to our community. It will pause and reflect on their contributions, both seen and unseen. It will communicate its appreciation to its volunteers and will recognize and honor them in April, during National Volunteer Month, with an awards and recognition event. It will also honor its volunteers with an appreciation event in August thanking them for their service and dedication to the community.
In December it will demonstrate its gratitude with a celebration of homage to its volunteers. It will recognize its group and individual volunteers annually at a city council meeting in April during National Volunteer Month.
Recently the City of Chester has taken over the day to day operations of the Chester Welcome Center.
Travelers, tourists and passersby visit the center in need of directions, suggestions and opinions daily.
Volunteers hand out brochures and information, visit and take photos for guests.
Volunteers are critical to the center. Chester is currently seeking volunteers for the Welcome Center. Shifts are during the day, Sunday through Saturday and range from 2-4 hours a day, longer if possible, and can be once a month, once a week, or twice a week, accommodating any schedule.
The Making a Difference Volunteer Program has a multitude of volunteer opportunities that fit a variety of ages, interests and skill levels. Some activities are regular and on-going while others are one-time events.
Below are a few of them:
- Spring Fling/Easter Egg Hunt
- Fall Festival
- Christmas on the River (Reindeer Games, Parade, Fun Run, Community Tree Lighting, Santa’s Village, etc.)
- Recreation Ball (Baseball, Softball, T-Ball , Toddler T-Ball & Wee Ball)
- Soccer (Spring & Fall)
- Welcome Center Docent
- Cohen Memorial Home Docent
- Riverboat Volunteers
- Tour Guides
- Folding Flyers ~ Stuffing Envelopes ~ Making Signs ~ Distribution of Marketing Material
- Musicians
- Farmers Market
- Solar Eclipse
- other events/activities as they arise
Those with a special skill that could benefit the community, its activities/programs/events, please let city hall know!
The city needs those who can design posters, distribute information, decorate for an event?
Those who have the gift of gab?
Those who like to meet new people?
Interested persons are asked to look at the community’s active programs and available opportunities on its website, www.chesterill.com or call the Recreation Office at 618-826-1430 for more information