International Women’s Day is the ideal time to honour local women for their ongoing efforts to make the community a better place.

Last week, the Soroptimist International of Central Alberta hosted their annual luncheon where such recognition takes place.

This year, Darlis Bachusky was presented with the Ruby Award: Women helping Women. She was honoured for her contributions to the local community and her passion to work on behalf of victims of domestic abuse.

The Women’s Opportunity Award went to Esther Fubara, a single mother of two girls, who is attending Red Deer College in the LPN program. Local youth are also included in the event, with the Violet Richardson Award presented to Julia Maksymetz, a Lindsay Thurber high school student involved with the school’s leadership program and their community efforts.

It’s heartening to see these women recognized and they deserve the community’s congratulations.

Soroptimist International is a women’s organization that promote concerns, challenges and achievements of women everywhere. The organization truly has a global focus.

Founded in 1988, Central Alberta Soroptimists join with almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories to contribute time and financial support to community-based projects benefiting women and girls.

With National Volunteer Week just around the corner, it’s important to honour those who pour so much of their time and energy into all kinds of volunteering initiatives throughout Central Alberta. National Volunteer Work runs from April 15 – 21, and it’s an especially perfect time to say ‘thank you’ to those who help out on so many levels.

It’s also a time for those who haven’t yet tried volunteering to explore the many opportunities that are available. There is certainly something to suit anyone, and many who volunteer often say how fulfilling and enriching it is to do so. The rewards far exceed the efforts.

Organizations like the Soroptimists help to bring the importance of having a giving spirit to the forefront.

These days, it’s easy to feel like we don’t have time to help out with our hectic schedules. But every little effort counts – whether it’s high-profile or behind the scenes.

Volunteers are what really make a community thrive.