Sarah Nigbor

April is National Volunteer Month, a time to recognize all the volunteers who selflessly give their time and energy to help others in our communities and make Pierce County a great place to live.

We are especially fortunate to live where we do, because our area abounds with volunteer opportunities and organizations working hard to make a difference. It would be impossible to honor them all in this column space and I would hate to forget anyone, so I will focus on a few that have made a difference in my life. This by no means diminishes my respect and admiration for all the volunteer groups in our county.

I will forever be grateful to all the volunteers who comprise Pierce County 4-H, which was a huge part of my life growing up. It has also been an important and impactful part of my daughter’s life and without 4-H, she would not be the confident young lady she is today. 4-H not only teaches children responsibility and leadership skills, it opens up opportunities for them to experience new things, broaden their horizons and help others. It’s not just about seeing who can earn the most ribbons at the county fair – it’s about learning to serve the community, working hard to achieve goals and becoming leaders for the future.

One of the best parts of my job is attending community events – from UFO Days in Elmwood to Cheese Curd Festival in Ellsworth to Bacon Bash in River Falls – it’s astounding the amount of work that goes into planning and executing these fun events. Volunteers not only step up during the events to serve food, host booths, clean up and set up, but they plan year-round for these festivals to make them a success. Think about all the Easter egg hunts that occurred across the county recently. The Funsters of Ellsworth, the Prescott American Legion, the River Falls Lions Club, the Elmwood Community Club, the Maiden Rock Area Merchants Association, the Spring Valley Chamber – all these events took volunteers coming together to provide children and their families with special holiday memories.

Meals on Wheels in Pierce County was a huge blessing to my mother when she was recovering at home after breaking her hips (two separate occasions). Not only did the ADRC drivers bring nourishing meals to her when she was unable to cook, they also checked on her when I couldn’t be there every day.

Our youth are able to play the sports they love thanks to the dedication of numerous volunteer coaches and assistants who keep things running smoothly behind the scenes. I’ve been fortunate to participate in some of these volunteer positions, whether it was keeping the book at a softball game, working the concession stand during a tournament or taking tickets at the door. It felt good knowing that I had a small part in helping out. Thanks to the hard work of these volunteers, my kids have participated in softball, baseball, volleyball, basketball, football and more.  

Volunteering can also be a family affair and a chance to make memories. My kids and I have cherished memories of cleaning up our 4-H club’s section of Adopt-a-Highway, packing meals at Feed My Starving Children, working the Pierce County 4-H food stand where I became an expert quesadilla maker, volunteering in the gift shop at Cheese Curd Festival and singing for residents at nursing homes. Seeing the faces of the Spring Valley Care Center residents light up each Christmas when our 4-H club walked in was pure joy.

I can’t thank the Pierce County Historical Association enough for all the times they have helped me out, whether it was doing research for articles, answering my random history questions, or helping me find answers to family genealogical mysteries. The amount of work they put into preserving our history is monumental and so valuable. Not every community has that resource and we’re lucky that we do. The volunteers are some of the most dedicated people I know.

With all the craziness and despair in the world, it’s comforting to look right here in Pierce County and see the good that surrounds us each day. If you’re feeling blue about the world’s state of affairs, pitch in somewhere and volunteer. It will be well worth your while and much appreciated.