Volunteers: Where would we be without them

A comment made at Monday night’s Washakie County Fair Board meeting got me thinking.

The audience member at the meeting told the board that most people in the community do not realize all the work the board does to get ready for the fair, during the fair and after the fair.

“Without you, there would not be a fair, and that people would notice.”

This person was exactly right and oddly enough volunteers a lot of her time to various organizations and events around the community.

There are many events in this area that without volunteers would not happen — Washakie County Fair, Nowoodstock, Wyoming Pepsi BBQ Championship & Bluegrass Festival, Culture Fest, Christmas Parade of Lights in Ten Sleep and Worland and many communities in the Big Horn Basin, Thermopolis Brew Fest, Wedding of the Waters Pageant, Big Horn Basin Folk Festival, 4-H projects and programs (there never seems to be enough leaders), Kiwanis Breakfast with Santa, Senior Centers home-delivered meals, fire departments and the list goes on.

There are so many organizations that do so much for us without getting paid, without asking for fame and fortune, but doing it out of a love for the area and a willingness and desire to give back.

Next time you are at an event, realize that it more than likely is occurring thanks to many unsung volunteers so say thank you.

You may not like everything they do or the way they do it, but unless you are willing to lend a volunteering hand to help, then just say thanks and check your complaints at the door.