A motion passed by the Airdrie City council on July 4 will direct the Council Budget Committee to consider funding requests made by the Volunteer Airdrie Society to support its operations in a few different ways.
The society presented three key requests at the meeting, including re-instating the Volunteer Appreciation Program, supporting the Drive Happiness Seniors Assisted Transportation Program, and hiring a full-time executive director for the organization.
The first request made by the Volunteer Airdrie Society was for a budget allocation of $20,000 to restart the Volunteer Appreciation Program. According to Dave Maffitt, chair of Volunteer Airdrie, the program was put on hold during the pandemic and they aim to revive it in 2024. The Volunteer Appreciation Program plays a vital role in recognizing and honouring volunteers in the community, Maffit told council.
The second funding request pertained to the Drive Happiness Seniors Assisted Transportation Program, which provides transportation services to individuals in need – primarily for medical appointments – to Calgary. Maffitt stressed that the program has witnessed a significant increase in demand, serving 156 clients, of which 130 are over the age of 60.
However, he noted there is a pressing need for additional volunteer drivers to accommodate the growing ridership. As such, the funding requested would help cover expenses associated with the extra wear and tear on volunteers' vehicles, which currently only receive $8 for trips that can extend to Calgary.
According to Maffitt, this financial assistance would incentivize more individuals to volunteer their time and vehicles for the service.
“We have added a few volunteer drivers but we need many more, we set records in May at 154 trips averaging five trips per day, seven days a week,” he said.
Volunteer Airdrie's third and last request was to obtain funding for a full-time paid executive director. The society requested $100,000 from the City to be assigned for the years 2024 and 2025.
Maffitt, who is currently fulfilling the role, intends to retire after a decade of service. The proposed executive director would assume responsibilities similar to Maffitt's, focusing on developing sustainable fund development strategies for Volunteer Airdrie, organizing fundraising events, and cultivating corporate sponsorships and partnerships.
The addition of a dedicated staff member would enable the organization to concentrate on long-term planning and growth, he noted.
“We’ve applied for funding to the province under the Enhanced Capacity Advancement Program (ECAP) and one of the reasons they turned us down was the lack of staff,” Maffitt said.
Maffitt emphasized the request for a full-time executive director also brings forth a broader discussion regarding the level of support the city of Airdrie wishes to extend to non-profit organizations in general. It represents an opportunity to evaluate the municipality's commitment to fostering a vibrant and supportive community.
The three funding requests will now be reviewed by the Council Budget Committee, with Mayor Peter Brown stating he expects a response before the end of the summer.
Expressing his gratitude for the impactful work carried out by the Volunteer Airdrie Society, Brown acknowledged the organization's contributions to the community, particularly in supporting seniors and local community events.
“Sincere appreciation to you and your entire organization because it has made a huge difference in our community, especially seeing some of the seniors and talking to them directly,” the mayor said.
As the requests proceed through the budget evaluation process, Volunteer Airdrie remains hopeful that City council will recognize the importance of these initiatives in enhancing community engagement, addressing transportation needs, and sustaining vital programs.
“We can feel confident about it and I appreciate council’s support but it is a larger issue at the community level,” Maffitt said.
