Images courtesy of Cynthia Asiala.
By Cynthia Asiala
Volunteers are the heart of most communities. In Kaleva this is especially true. In addition to two churches, a Lions Club, a Snowmobile Club and a volunteer fire department, there are many other groups of volunteers that make the heart of the community.
As is true of most small-town museums, a volunteer board of directors owns and operates the Kaleva Bottle House Museum. This group sets up displays, maintains historical records, acts as docents during open hours and plans special events such as the Taste of Finland, which will be held on December 20, 12-4 p.m. A larger group of volunteers places luminaries in the cemetery on the Winter Solstice, December 21, starting at 4 p.m.
Recently, two new volunteer groups have formed to help at the Maple Grove Township Community Center. One is a board of directors, which oversees the activities at the Center. Many of these folks take care of maintenance such as cleaning the floors and windows. There is a landscaping group and a group that serves the Senior Meals on Thursdays.
There is also an events committee active at the community center. The goal of this group is to host community events open to all. At Halloween there is trick or treating at each decorated classroom doorway, costume parades with prizes awarded, and a hot-dog luncheon by donation. Most recently, the group helped with a November 15 Hunter’s Dinner to benefit the roof fund.
The final activity at the community center is the Christmas Marketplace. This takes place on December 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Merchants with tables will display gift ideas, and the public is invited to shop. Santa will be present, and visitors will have an opportunity to get a passport stamped at the Kaleva Art Gallery, Bottle House Museum and community center to enter a drawing for prizes from local businesses.
There are many opportunities to volunteer in any community. To be part of the “heart” of a community is very rewarding and certainly makes a great difference in the lives of residents and visitors. Try it, if you haven’t already!
For more stories about Kaleva, go HERE and also scroll through past Full Issues.
