The events that put North Bay on the map might not happen at all if it wasn't for some special people who give their time freely.
That sentiment comes from people involved with October's successful Pinty's Grand Slam of Curling competition at Memorial Gardens.
Event chair Mark Brown says, "Volunteers are one of the key components to a successful event, they put in thousands of hours."
He adds people were eager to help. "We had 135 enthusiastic volunteers. We put up the sign-up sheet at the Granite (curling) Club on a Monday, and took it down on Wednesday because it was full."
Patti Callahan had been involved as a volunteer in 2018's successful World Women's Curling event in North Bay and enjoyed it, so she jumped at the chance to be involved with the Pinty's Grand Slam.
"It's just so rewarding, I wanted to do it again. My role was to organize 15 people. We were in charge of tickets and setting up the suites, and making sure someone was manning the doors," she explains.
She adds, "At the end of the day there's just such a sense of satisfaction and excitement. They offer so many hours and so much hard work. For me, it's hats off to all of them."
Another volunteer, Natasha Gribbon, says she got involved because of her love of curling. "I've played over 30 years myself, and have been a member of the local club for 20 years."
She's been part of the last four major events that have involved the Granite Club - the Mixed Nationals in 2015, the Men's Provincials in 2016, The World Women's event in 2018 and now the Grand Slam this year.
Gribbon says she greatly enjoyed working with the 17 volunteers in her area, which focused on the all-important stats that decided the winners.
"It's vital to the competition. When you see those percentages online or on TV, those volunteers are recording every single shot, in every single end, including the sweeping, for all the games. It's a huge job. I'd estimate that 75 per cent of my team was so excited to be involved they came and put in extra hours even when their shifts were done," she adds.
Event Chair Mark Brown sums it up by saying an event like the Grand Slam - and the volunteers making it happen - keeps curling sustainable.
"The local impact of the financial success of an event like this gets re-invested back into the sport and our facility, the Granite Club. That really helps to ensure we can have curling every year for the community to enjoy."
This is one of a series of good news articles about "Helpers" in our community. To suggest a person, volunteer, group or an organization contact Mike Anthony at [email protected]
