Image: Southside Church / Southside Church Pastor Mike Mannes (right) greets an attendee at last year's inaugural "Home Team Appreciation Gala." The second annual volunteer appreciation event happening this Sunday will recognize hundreds of volunteers at Southside.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Southside Church

Southside Church to recognize its dedicated volunteers this weekend at appreciation gala

Jan 25, 2024 | 7:30 AM

CHILLIWACK — Southside Church in Sardis will honour its dedicated volunteers at its second annual “Home Team Appreciation Gala” this Sunday (Jan. 28), an event designed to show appreciation to the people who power its mission and programs.

“We can’t wait to celebrate the amazing volunteers who have used their gifts and talents to make so many people feel at home at Southside this last year!” the church wrote in a Facebook post dated January 22.

Southside is known for its “All is Bright” initiative in which it pledged $350,000 to help Chilliwack families, single parents and children in need during the 2023 Christmas season.

While its “All is Bright” initiative had a goal of $250,000 in 2022, the church on South Sumas Road in Sardis adjacent to Vedder Middle School had bold plans to go above and beyond what was committed in the previous year.

“Because no single parent should struggle to provide Christmas food for their family; no child should wake up Christmas morning without a gift,” Southside wrote on its Facebook page ahead of the 2023 charitable endeavour. “And we’re going to do all we can to help.”

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During this weekend’s volunteer appreciation event, the church will recognize volunteers from its kids and youth ministry, guest experience, parking, coffee, welcome team, ushers, facility personnel, production (lights, camera, sound), worship and safety personnel.

Image: Southside Church / Attendees at last year’s “Home Team Appreciation Gala.”

The church plans to present appetizers and awards, including some funny awards the church calls “Homies” and some serious/outstanding awards they refer to as “Home Runs”), and a message of inspiration and sincere thanks from Pastor Mike Mannes.

Roughly 435 people have RSVP’d for this Sunday’s gala event.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Southside Church to recognize its dedicated volunteers this weekend at appreciation gala

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