Printed from the Review
Festival honours its brightest lights - its volunteers
TONY RICCIUTO
Saturday, January 27, 2007 - 02:00
Local News - The Winter Festival of Lights would never take place if it wasn’t for the dedicated work of volunteers, says general manager Dino Fazio.
“When the call goes out for help, people here in Niagara Falls are quick to put their hands up to volunteer and see where they can help.”
Other communities are not always that fortunate, which leaves many organizations struggling from one year to the next, he said Friday night during their annual volunteer appreciation party held at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel.
“We wouldn’t be here right now going into our 25th year. Many of the volunteers have been with us for 10 or 15 years and some new ones for only a year or two.”
Fazio said this is going to be a big year and people will really take notice. Many of the plans will be unveiled over the next few months and the focus will continue to be on more lights and displays.
Among the volunteers honoured was John Turcotte, who put in a total of 187 hours, more than any other volunteer.
“I enjoy meeting the people who come in from all over the place,” said Turcotte, who has been volunteering with other members of his family since 2000.
“It’s something that I enjoy doing. I’ve been retired for about 10 years and I hope to do it again this year.”
Ryan Huurman, 18, who is taking a police foundations course, worked security near the stage at the Misty Kids show.
He plans to become a police officer and this was one way to get in some volunteer hours.
Barb Dyck, of Niagara Falls, has volunteered for the past two years and said it’s fantastic because one gets to do so many different things. She enjoyed working with the Misty Kids, which was the musical stage show that was held at the Skylon Tower.
Pat Mascarin, who moved to Niagara Falls from Mississauga, said she became a volunteer because it’s a great way to meet new people.
“I love Niagara. This is a great way to touch base with all of the people you come into contact with and what a better way to spend your winter.”
Rick Stokes, who is retired from the Niagara Falls Fire Department, began his volunteer work with the festival in 1992.
“I always like to be busy, so I found an opportunity to help out with the city and then the festival came on.”
Stokes has done just about every job going, including working on site and being a member of the festival board.
“This is going to be our 25th year, so we want to make everything bigger and brighter. We have a lot of great ideas, but we can always use help with our finances so we hope the community continues to back us.”
Stokes said Niagara Falls is a great place and the festival is not only for the residents, but because we want to attract more visitors.
“We want them to visit and to return each year. Every dollar that is spent here is of benefit to all of Niagara Falls.”
tricciuto@nfreview.com
ID- 378718
© 2007 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review.
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