This week is National Volunteer Appreciation Week and Moose Jaw has always had a heavy flow of loyal and hard-working volunteers at the wide variety of organizations and associations across the city. 

To name only a few: the Humane Society, the Western Development Museum, the Multicultural Council, and the Moose Jaw Warriors Booster Club are all organizations that take a lot of pride in their volunteers. 

The Western Development Museum (WDM) has around 100 volunteers that make ice cream by hand, send messages by Morse code, operate the province’s only working steam locomotive, share their crafting skills, preserve artifacts and so much more. 

“We really couldn’t do what we do without the help of our volunteers. They really help to keep the history alive,” says Karla Rasmussen, the Education and Public Programs Coordinator at Moose Jaw’s WDM. 

The WDM is currently working to retrain its volunteers after cancelling its volunteer program for the past 2 years.  

The WDM is looking to recruit new volunteers in the late spring and early summertime. People can sign up to volunteer through the WDM website or through the Moose Jaw branch's Facebook page.  

The Multicultural Council thrives with its hard-working volunteers and community advocates. People from the community will assist the Multicultural Council with English tutoring, working as translators and interpreters, moving furniture into new homes for newcomers, helping organize donations, and much more.  

“We couldn’t do our jobs without the help of volunteers quite frankly... to all our volunteers, we’re very thankful for all the work that you’ve done for us,” says Kaleigh Pousett, the Community Connections Coordinator for the Multicultural Council.  

People interested in becoming a volunteer can contact Pousett via email at community.connections@mjmcinc.ca  

While some people are helping with the newcomers in Moose Jaw, others are helping with Moose Jaw’s furry friends at the Moose Jaw Humane Society (MJHS).  

The MJHS has a wide variety of volunteer cat-cuddlers and dog walkers. It also has volunteers who come in and work in the book store or help sort the recycling. Moose Jaw also has a large number of foster families that help take care of some of the animals.  

“Without the support from our volunteers in our community, we could not do what we do here every day,” says Dana Haukaas, Executive Director of the MJHS.  

The MJHS is also looking for new volunteers to help out with animals. People can sign up to become a volunteer on their website. 

One other organization that flourishes because of its volunteers is the Moose Jaw Warriors Booster Club.  

The club currently has 22 active members who help out with basically everything on Warrior game nights like the 50/50 tickets, the lucky seat draw, helping the Warriors with any help they may need, and much more.  

All of the funds that the Booster Club collects on game nights go directly towards the team and keeping them in Moose Jaw. It also helps keep the price of tickets down so families can continue to come and enjoy the games.  

“Without the Booster Club and the volunteers that are there, prices would have to go up so it definitely helps the team run from day-to-day... My volunteers are amazing. They come and we have a lot of fun,” says Randy Nesvold, the President of the Booster Club.  

Locals can join the Booster Club by emailing mjwarriors.boosterclub@gmail.com or by reaching out to them on their Facebook page.  

All of these organizations work hard to better the community and they all say that they couldn’t do it without their volunteers.  

Moose Jaw also has a dozen other different organizations that people in the community can volunteer and get involved with; the organizations that are listed are only a few that are spreading their thanks for volunteer appreciation week.