Volunteering can be a great way to get involved in the community, especially when you are new in town.
Tony Miglecz came to Drumheller about four years ago and settled in East Coulee. It didn't take long to get involved in the community. He is currently the president of the East Coulee Community Association. Like many volunteers, he took on the role because there was no one else coming to the table.
“Basically there wasn’t going to be anyone stepping up,” he said. “I couldn’t just watch that fall to the wayside.”
He adds, interestingly enough, a couple more board members have come on board who are also relatively new to the valley.
He also saw the importance of making sure residents’ voices were heard during the flood mitigation projects and volunteered to sit on the Community Advisory Committee. That led him to become one of the organizers of the Chainsaw Wizards tree carving event.
This is going into its third year and not only has it allowed trees that had to be cut for the project to take on a new life, but also created a premier event and beautified the valley.
His reputation for being involved with these projects also led to people asking him to get involved in the Festival of Lights.
He also has taken a position as a volunteer firefighter at the East Coulee Fire Hall, and as a member of the Valley Cruisers.
He says some of the personal rewards he gets is meeting lots of people.
“It is great to get to know people, and there are a lot of issues in the valley that people talk about, and I hear from all sides. It’s a good way to know the valley,” he said. “For me it is just getting to help out and the satisfaction for me is not watching things flounder.”
“The way I see it, it is part of our mission, we're here to build the community. East Coulee is called a ghost town on some websites, but it is not a ghost town. There are lots of things going on out here, it is actually quite a busy community once you get in here.”
He says it should be an easy decision to take up volunteering.
“If you like going to the event and it was great to be a part of it, why not take a step forward? They need help with all of these events, you never know, you might find something,” he said, adding that you may have special skills or abilities needed.
“Someone has to step forward and take the reins, and, you never know, it might be you.”

Patrick Kolafa
The Drumheller Mail

The Titans provide some great action on the field, however, in a contact sport, a big part of safety for players starts with the equipment.
While he has stepped back a little bit, Larry Mullin has been an integral part of the Titans team. For 17 years he has served as equipment manager.
Mullin started volunteering with the team when his son began playing football in his second year of bantam.
“He stopped playing and I continued on,” chuckles Mullin. “He walked out with a championship ring in his last year. I give him a bad time and tell him he has to come back because I have four championship rings and he only has one.”
The work for the equipment manager starts even before the season, making sure the gear is in good shape and safe before it is distributed and fitted for the players.
He would put equipment together, fit helmets, fix things and make sure they were ready to get on the field. He also kept inventory to make sure everyone was outfitted. He said it was a team effort.
“I learned there are good people out there who will give you a hand,” he said. “I could call George Hopkins (equipment manager for the Calgary Stampeders) anytime I needed.”
Game day he was there to make sure the players had all of their equipment, and that nothing was forgotten. During the game, he was available on the sidelines to take care of any broken equipment and get it functional.
“It’s about keeping the kids safe, that's what it is all about. If you got into it thinking it was about you, you better get out of it, because first and foremost it is for the kids.”
“To see these kids come out a winner is good,” he said.
While it is for the kid, he said the Titans family is a great crew to work with and he feels he is truly part of a team.
When asked what he would tell someone who is considering volunteering, he replied, “Get into it and do it. It comes with great satisfaction. Being around people who are giving lots for life, with the same common goal, is pretty good.”
Come football season, whether he’s volunteering or not he’ll be there cheering for the Titans.