GREENSTONE—The Townships of Geraldton and Longlac are celebrating the wind-up of their annual t-ball and softball programs, this month.
The programs started on Tuesday, May 31, for their 2019-2017 and 2016-2014, age groups in Longlac and Geraldton, and on Wednesday, June 1, for their 2013-2011 and 2010-2008 age groups in Longlac and Geraldton townships.
The program, according to Haley Garvie, economic development and communications officer, for the Municipality of Greenstone, ran for eight weeks at their ball fields, with one team per age group in each community.
Garvie spoke about how they recruit volunteers early. “We recruit volunteers prior to the program running as these programs are solely based on volunteer involvement,” said Garvie. “Ads for volunteers are placed on the municipality website and Facebook page and shared to other community Facebook pages,” added Garvie.
There is no doubt that without volunteer involvement these programs could not run. “Volunteers who express interest are contacted and provided all the information they need to run a program,” stated Garvie.
Training includes coaching manuals, practice plans, and equipment among other things.
This year, their wind-up in Geraldton and Longlac, took place on July 26, 2022, at the Geraldton Community Centre and at the Longlac Sports Plex.
Volunteers and organizers helped with a BBQ for all of this year’s participants. The municipalities extended a huge thank-you to volunteers who without their hard work and skills, this program would not be possible.
Garvie proudly spoke about the level of success had this year. “This year was a huge success with 133 participants and 18 volunteers. In the future, we are hoping to get more volunteers and more participants so that we can offer the program to all wards," stated Garvie.
Volunteers for Longlac: Renee, Mitch, Brent, Miguel, Phanie, Sarah, Jeremy, Jemma and Albert
Volunteers for Geraldton: Doug, Dan, Alyssa, Ryan, Leslie, Chris, Colin, Kaitlyn and Kevin
Congratulations to everyone involved who helped make this program possible for so many young people.