It's time to come together

Over the years, we have written many columns and editorials commending Airdrie residents for coming together and helping each other out in their time of need.

We have congratulated volunteers for their success with the Airdrie Centennial and the Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games in 2009, the Airdrie Air Show, Empty Bowls Arts Festival, the Airdrie Relay for Life and countless other charity event that people donate their time and money to year after year.

Once again, it is time for us to come together and live up to the great name this community has made for itself.

Airdrie is known as a community of volunteers. We give generously to those in need and do what it takes to get the job done.

The Canada Day Parade has been a tradition in this city for decades. There are adults here whose earliest memory is of holding a Canada flag and catching candy while sitting on the curb as the colourful floats glide by.

We need to come together once again and save this tradition. It will take a lot of work and time but we have never shied away from a challenge and we shouldn’t start now.

It is disappointing that volunteers are discouraged from donating their time because of the abuse they have to put up with from local drivers trying to get in or out of their communities.

Residents need to be patient and accommodating for the parade. It is only one morning of traffic disruption and it is well worth it.

Please do not make volunteers’ jobs unbearable because you need to get somewhere in a hurry. Read the newspapers and plan ahead so you can get where you need to go.

Let’s all put our own needs aside and come together for the greater good.

This event brings families, neighbours and the community together.

Let’s help children make memories for years to come.