As I reflect on the great day we had on Saturday September 16, 2023 at our annual Community League Day event, I am so grateful for so much! Rather than doing several Facebook Posts I thought a longer blog post is appropriate.
First – I am so thankful for this community who showed up to learn more about the league, visit the display tables, enjoy the free pasta dinner and show, and fellowship of other community league members. We didn’t count but estimate we had 250-275 attending this year! That was incredible!
Our displays were well attended! Thank you to our MP Blake Desjarlais and our MLA Peggy Wright for making time to greet our community and answer questions, and for bringing some swag and treats. WeCan Cooperative, the Edmonton Public Library, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, the Girl Guides and Scouts and the Beverly Historical Society do great work in supporting our community and we are so thankful they could attend.
For the Beverly Heights Community League, thank you to Jim for sharing the word about the Beverly Active Senior’s Society (and later being a good sport on stage with the magician!!), Donna showcasing the programs and activities she is launching to keep you active and engaged, Sara with the Variety Show details, Chris and Noma handing out memberships and the free cups, and Shannon and Kyla talking about Abundant Community and the Community Safety and Wellbeing Project.
THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS!
First I want to thank the volunteers who prepared your free pasta dinner! Cindy Lazarenko and Geof Lilge toiled in the kitchen from 4:30-8ish, and they are actually from Highlands and not Beverly! I’m especially honoured as Cindy is a chef and owned Culina Highlands 2007-2012ish (where Bodega is now) and is still creating amazing food with Culina! Check out the pop-up brunch and dinners – on eventbrite search “Culina” to see upcoming events – there are three there right now – here is the link https://www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada–edmonton/culina-family/?page=1.
Other kitchen helpers include Quinn and Josh, two 16 year old Beverly boys (my son and his friend), who went over and above the call of duty washing all the dishes – they were the last to leave that night with water logged hands. Derek, Jackie, Edie, Heather and Alene also helped out with prep and keeping the kitchen running smoothly! We had some uncooked/unopened leftovers and have donated items to the Candora Society Free Lunch program.
We had more youth helping serve you your dinner! Brooklyn has volunteered many times at many events and is such a pleasure to work with, Sadie, Leah and Ben are new to volunteering with us and did an awesome job! Their mom, Robyn, sold 50/50 and drink tickets, along with Darcie – and our 50/50 winner took home $127.50.
Our youngest volunteer did 3 shifts (all with a name tag on his forehead) – set up, greeter, and clean up – thank you Isaiah and his mom Jamie for everything! Isaiah made sure the crayons were scattered around the tables and drew a few tic-tac-toe boards for inspiration.
Gina is another Highlands resident who came to lend a hand, we are so grateful for our volunteers and even more grateful when you come from another league! Shawny is also from outside Beverly but volunteered all night with us and helped with clean up the next day too. Jill was another server – one of the busiest jobs of the night!!
Our bartenders kept busy filling your free cups with pop all night, and serving the adult beverages. Peighton (my niece) and Alex (my son) were experts with the pop gun by the end of the night!
Sandy and Jamie helped with set up, all day at the event, and with clean up after! Chantel helped with set up, and came back to enjoy the party. Thank you to Chris, Sara and Riplea for joining me for the final clean up on Sunday. I also want to thank our Facilities Manager, Ashley, for offering to clean the floors and washrooms – she keeps the facility in amazing condition and we are so thankful she is part of our team!
Did you stay to watch the magician? He had the kids cheering, laughing, and participating in his tricks! Thank you to Magician Donovan Day for providing the entertainment to wrap up the evening.
Another exciting note – we were able to present May LeDrew with an Honourary Lifetime Membership to the Beverly Heights Community League. A long time resident and volunteer, May has supported the league and our events for many years and was nominated for this award. Our last volunteer appreciation event was before covid – we are looking forward to getting together again soon and accepting more nominations for Lifetime Members!
Engaging with you, the community, is such an uplifting experience and I am so grateful for the way you support our events, activities, and the league. Some couldn’t make it to Saturday’s event, we will be offering other opportunities to get your free membership and share the benefits of membership with you. I hope you added your email address to your membership card – we send out a monthly MailChimp newsletter with all the details of upcoming programs, events and activities, and share news on our Facebook group as well. We hope to keep you engaged and excited, and encourage you to attend the Annual General Meeting in April!
I apologize if I missed naming anyone, it takes many hands to pull all this together and I am so very thankful we got to gather to enjoy this meal and each other’s company. Together we make a strong community, a place we belong and a better place in which to live. Please reach out if you would like more information about volunteering with the board or at events – email volunteer.bhcl@gmail.com.
Gratefully yours,
Tracey Hirtle
President, Beverly Heights Community League