ACS thanks its volunteers at appreciation dinner

Staff and volunteers with ACS sing during an volunteer appreciation dinner last Wednesday night at the AMA Sportsmen Club. The evening had an airline theme.

Volunteers greatly aid the operations of Amherstburg Community Services (ACS) with the agency giving back to them last week.

Volunteers boarded “ACS Airlines” last Wednesday night with the theme being “Searching the World for Volunteers Like You.” Staff members with ACS wore airline attire resembling pilots and stewardesses as they welcomed the nearly 100 volunteers that turned out at the AMA Sportsmen Association.

“This is about you,” ACS executive director Kathy DiBartolomeo told the group.

DiBartolomeo said the volunteers that serve ACS are also part of a wider family of volunteers that help organizations and individuals worldwide. She said the not-for-profit agency would not be able to operate its network of programming without those who freely give of their time.

“We know there would not be ACS without you,” she told the volunteers. “You are a very important part of the ACS family. You are not only part of ACS, but the many volunteer families worldwide.”

A sample of the many programs ACS offers includes Meals on Wheels, free income tax clinics, seniors luncheons, a food bank, CareLink Health Transit and many more. A full list of programs is available at www.amherstburg-cs.com or by calling 519-736-5471.

“We need you and we appreciate you,” said DiBartolomeo.

ACS honoured its current volunteers but also the ones that passed away over the past year.

Camillia Edmond, chair of the board of directors with ACS, said she was impressed by the people who fill the room year after year. She said many are returning faces but there are some new volunteers as well.

“We are here to celebrate you and all that you do for ACS,” said Edmond.

Edmond added as they look to the future, they are inspired by the people who are giving back. She noted that ACS serves Amherstburg, LaSalle, McGregor and Harrow.

“You truly are the heart of ACS,” she told the volunteers.

Mayor Michael Prue said an overnight outage of the Boblo ferry the night before meant he had to spend many hours in his car awaiting a return to his home. That got him thinking of the many that live in their cars or on the street every night. 

“That’s a reality for many people,” he said. “I experienced it one night and I thought very much about ACS and the people in this room and what you do. You are doing God’s work. You are looking after the poor, other people who don’t have anywhere to go and you make sure their life is wonderful.”

Prue said town council tries to make the best choices they can with taxpayer dollars, adding some is given to non-profit agencies like ACS. He noted the town gave ACS a community grant of $20,000 this year.

“You make sure every person who needs the money gets it,” he said.

Recalling when he broke his hip a few years ago, he used the CareLink Health Transit service and was amazed it was only $25 to get him to the hospital for treatment. He said that came with friendliness from driver Tino Riccio.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for what you do,” said the Amherstburg mayor.

Amherstburg Community Services is based out of 320 Richmond St., inside the Amherstburg Community Hub.

ACS thanks its volunteers at appreciation dinner

By Ron Giofu