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Donors, Sponsor & Volunteers

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Volunteer, Bert Horvey talks about the satisfaction he gets from volunteering. He received the gold pin in the 251-500 hour category. 

 

 

The printed program presented to guests at Reynolds Alberta Museum on November 3rd stated, “The impact that you have on the museum is hard to measure. The hard data (17 hours, $100.00, a tractor, etc.) is the easy part; it becomes difficult when talking about the difference each donation, sponsorship and volunteer hour makes. While this Recognition event is based primarily on the hard data, our intent is to show our appreciation for everything you have given us”.

During the past year, approximately 40,000  people visited the Reynolds Alberta Museum (RAM) to reminisce ‘the good old days’ or to simply admire the extensive display of  vintage automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, stationary engines, tractors, agricultural implements, aircraft and industrial equipment. Some date as far back as the 1890’s. 

The display would not be as large nor the programs and services as successful without the commitment of the volunteers, sponsors and donors.  During the past year, RAM received more than $540,000 (appraised value) in donations, $115,000 in cash and in-kind sponsorships and 9,300 volunteer hours.  On Saturday, November 3rd, 2012, RAM recognized this tremendous contribution by hosting the 2012 Donor, Sponsor and Volunteer Recognition celebration “Green Acres”, based on the popular sitcom of the 1960s and 70s. 

The event included a formal presentation ceremony in the main theatre where the sponsors, donors and volunteers were recognized for their important contribution to RAM. Hon. Verlyn Olson stressed the importance of volunteers, donors and sponsors to the Reynolds Alberta Museum and to multitude of organizations throughout the province. The formal program was followed by theme-related games, good conversation, refreshments and pie in the Restoration Shop.

 

About Reynolds Alberta Museum

 

Named after Mr. Stan Reynolds, a Wetaskiwin businessman and world-renowned collector, the Reynolds-Alberta Museum opened in 1992 in Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Mr. Reynolds donated a core collection of 1500 artifacts to the museum and continued to donate artifacts from his collection until his death in February of 2012. 

More than 100 major artifacts are on display in the exhibition hall, and additional 5000 artifacts are in storage in the 10,219 sq. m Collection Storage Facilities.  Exhibits are arranged by theme and displayed in three conditions: restored, conserved and last-used. The museum also houses 88 vintage aircraft, the second-largest vintage aircraft collection in Canada. Twenty-six of these are currently on display in the museum's Aviation Display Hangar and the remainder on the museum grounds.

Recognition pins were presented to volunteers with some exceeding 750 volunteer hours.

Ed Krossa, Ernie Korchinsky and  Dave Halliday were recognized for exceeding more than 750 volunteer hours and awarded a 10K Gold pin. In the sterling silver pin category recognizing 501 to 750 hours were Dave Rose and Roy Sauer and in the gold pin 251-500 hour category were Bert Horvey, Alfred Ouellette, Arnie Weisbrot  and Elly Weisbrot. The silver pin for the 51-250 hour category was awarded to Shannon Bileski, Gord Cave, Roger Coates, Diana Drebert, Pete Friesen, Lauren Gagnon, Morgan Gagnon, Alan Gordon, Al Lissey, Kris Pawloske and Grace Reid . 

Cynthia Blackmore, RAM Marketing and Communications shares her views on their volunteer program. “Some of my thoughts about what makes our program successful is we have developed and implemented a formal and structured volunteer program.  We identify the specific volunteer opportunities that exist here, interview volunteers and match them with opportunities that reflect their skills, interests and needs.”  Cynthia stresses, “Our volunteers know that their work is important and that we value their contributions as part of our team. Without our volunteers there are many things we would not be able to accomplish”. Volunteer positions can be long-term or short-term. Long-term placements tend to focus on the ongoing activities of the museum. Short-term activities are usually related to the museum's annual special events that are typically held on weekends.