Sheri Coles is one of four nominees for Quesnel’s 2010 Volunteer Citizen of the Year.
However, with a ready smile, she admitted volunteering is fun and coupled with a commitment to making the community a better place, that’s why she’s out in the public almost year round.
As a member of the Integris team, Coles leads the charge in many company-led campaigns but said where she places her personal volunteer time is totally her decision.
She said when she first arrived in Quesnel, she had no idea how huge the volunteer organizations were in town.
Coles has waded into the deep end with many of these organizations.
Currently her Relay for Life team is busy raising funds including a quilt raffle. Each member of the team worked on the quilt under the tutelage of Kim Leatherdale.
The Women’s Fall Challenge, another fundraiser in Coles’ volunteer portfolio, has already had their first meeting. She has been participating for five years and three years on the committee.
Coles’ office is stacked high with boxes, some relating to the Community Foundation which just held their gala event where more than $34,000 was handed out to various community groups, and others for various Relay fundraisers.
One of last year’s most rewarding moments for Coles was riding the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Big Bike with her son.
“It was fun,” she said with a wide grin.
Coles is well aware of the need to balance volunteering, career and family. She says she experiences physical cues that tell her it’s time to back off and decrease the stress.
“I itch all over,” she said.
“I try to be home by 9 p.m., but I don’t always make it.”
Coles credits her staff at Integris with the support in all her volunteer efforts and says the company encourages volunteerism but the decision is always in the hands of the employees.
“Integris as a company believes in supporting staff and the community but there’s no push, it’s a personal decision,” she said.
There’s been many personal rewards for Coles in her volunteering.
“How rewarding to see one of the ideas you put forward bring in a few thousand dollars more for the cause,” she said.
Coles and her staff are also very involved in Project Hope, a community vision for improving various organizations in town.
Currently, Project Hope is amassing volunteers and donations for a makeover for the Women’s Resource Centre.
“How great is that,” Coles said.
And as for her nomination for Volunteer Citizen of the Year, Coles said very simply, “I’m really honoured.”