Ehrlo Sport Venture (ESV) extended overwhelming gratitude and appreciation to its volunteers, recently hosting a special event dedicated to their honour.

ESV held its inaugural Volunteer Appreciation Night on April 27^th, welcoming volunteers, and special guests to the mâmawêyatitân Centre in Regina’s North Central. 

More than 100 people gathered together to celebrate the contributions made by the dedicated volunteers of ESV. Among the attendees were volunteers, primary partners, special guests, and members of Ranch Ehrlo’s senior leadership team and board of directors.  

The evening of appreciation was sewn together with a shared meal (made possible by a contribution from the Wholesale Club), a slideshow, icebreaker games, a brief program, a presentation to volunteers, and recognition to ESV’s three primary sponsors: the Optimist groups of Regina, the Regina Pats Hockey Club, and the Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation and Alumni.

“I wanted the focus to be on our volunteers and partners, to honour them in a way that highlights the importance of their work and the time and commitment that they give,” said Gloria. “We’re able to achieve a lot of amazing things and it is with the support of the staff, with the leadership within the agency, with our community partners, sponsors, and our volunteers.”

The evening was highlighted by stories shared by two program volunteers; Trent Wotherspoon spoke to his more than 20 years’ experience with ESV and student Hudson Janz spoke to his involvement with the non-profit over the last year. The pair’s unique experiences provided a juxtaposition between a seasoned volunteer and new volunteer, said Gloria.

“It was good to be able to hear them both speak from their heart about the value of the program and giving back and what that investment really means,” she explained. “We really couldn’t do this work without them – without our volunteers.”

ESV operates with a staff of two full-time employees, and a small pool of part-time community recreation support workers. Staff support the league practices and games ensuring they run smoothly by managing the compliment of the teams and equipment, opening venues, and providing volunteers with session plans. The staff also provide physical support, helping to manage the environment and assist with facilitation if needed.

“Our volunteers show up and are positive mentors and leaders and are able to share their skills, knowledge and passion on the court, ice, pitch, diamond or in the field,” said Gloria. “When volunteers want to give their time, we want to make it as easy as we can for them.”

ESV leans heavily on its volunteers to help facilitate, guide, mentor, encourage and help build skills within its young players. Their mission is to make the practice as fluid and as meaningful as possible, said Gloria, always keeping in mind the ability of the kids and ensuring fun.

“When we bring in volunteers, sponsors, and partners it really pivots us forward, it keeps us going because we’re all understanding the work and the ‘why’,” she explained. “You don’t have to be an athlete, a skills expert or have prowess in a particular sport to become a volunteer. The underlying meaning and theme behind Sport Venture isn’t sport, it’s relationships.”

“It’s about empowering and encouraging kids, it’s about having fun, building self-efficacy and self- confidence and we do all that through play – how amazing is that?”