Herald, U of L honoured by Volunteer Lethbridge

By Lethbridge Herald on March 1, 2025.

The Lethbridge Herald and University of Lethbridge were honoured by Volunteer Lethbridge as outstanding lifetime supporters of the organization.

They, along with recently departed executive director Amanda Jensen, team member Chelsea Eastman and board member Stephen Onyango were given acknowledgement for their contributions to Volunteer Lethbridge at its annual general meeting Friday.

The Herald’s award was accepted on the newspaper’s behalf by long-time journalist Al Beeber while Harold Jansen collected the U of L’s plaque.

During the meeting at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge, board chair David Reeve spoke about the challenges facing non-profit organizations which he said are always being asked to do more with less.

And while Reeve acknowledged all levels of government are facing financial challenges are doing the best they can with available funding the non-profit sector is taking a hit.

He noted the VL board has spent some sleepless nights over various challenges and opportunities they faced but the same could be said about every organization it works with.

“It just seems like we’re always being asked to do more with less,” said Reeve. “It just seems like there’s not enough money to do with what we want. Funds are being limited, governments at all levels are cutting back and they’re trying. We’ll give them the benefit of the doubt, they’re trying to do their best. But at the end of the day, it seems it’s the non-profit sector that gets hit hard.”

Reeve said 2024 was a challenging year for non-profits but, pointing out the words to the Elton John song I’m Still Standing, told the gathering they were all still standing despite the obstacles their organizations face.

The Herald was recognized for its support by providing space to the organization to run their weekly columns.

“The Lethbridge Herald is essential to highlighting the amazing impact non-profits have in our city, promoting the work within the sector,” said Reeve. “The Herald has generously donated to the volunteer opportunity column through the years.”

The column has remained a constant over the years, featuring local non-profits and the volunteer opportunities they provide. Beeber told the audience the Herald recognizes the value of Volunteer Lethbridge. He recalled first meeting Jensen during budget deliberations a couple of years ago and thinking her presentation to council for funding was a “home run.”

“You’re an incredibly important organization in this community,” said Beeber. “Without volunteers, the community wouldn’t exist. We need volunteers to keep our community running and what you guys do and all your partner organizations do is essential to our community.”

The U of L was cited for the longstanding commitment and generous support it’s shown Volunteer Lethbridge. The organization’s office moved in 2013 to the university’s Dr. Foster James Penny building on 5 St. S. The collaboration led to the creation of the new volunteer program as a co-op position funded by the U of L. That program highlighted the importance of student engagement to inform students about the benefits of volunteering, and it connected students with organizations seeking volunteers.

The connection between students and volunteering was strengthened when the School of Liberal Education sponsored volunteer scholarships at the Leaders of Tomorrow program. The U of L’s support continued when the program moved into a community-wide celebration program.

“The work you do is really important,” Jansen said of Volunteer Lethbridge.

Being a political scientist by training, he said he and his colleagues know “a vibrant civil society founded on volunteering and community engagement is critical to protecting democracy so not only is it important for our community in building a strong community, but it also protects and enhances democracy.

“When you get discouraged about the state of the world, know that you are actually making a tangible difference,” he added.

Reeve spoke glowingly of the work done by Onyango, Eastman and Jensen, the latter whom he’s known since they got their Masters degrees in Ontario.

Reeve said of Jensen, who resigned in late January and wasn’t present, that “I think we all sit here and recognize the impact that Amanda has had not just on Volunteer Lethbridge” but beyond the walls of the organization through her advocacy.

“She’s had legislation changed through her advocacy,” noted Reeve, adding “the influence she still has on the cohort that we did together as Masters students continues today. Amanda has changed and shaped this community and I think as often as typically the case, individuals in those positions and roles don’t necessarily realize what they’ve done.

“I would love publicly to recognize Amanda for what she has done, for the hard work she has contributed in every aspect. Everything that she does is 110 per cent and I think the greatest honour I could give to her is just say I miss her.”