Orford
What made him continue to participate, and later become a volunteer, is the people and the cause they support: West Central Behavioral Health’s suicide prevention and mental health efforts.
“We formed a community to all work toward a same goal,” Vallie, of Hartford, said. “The event as a whole just forms a community and that’s what I like about it.”
For five years, Vallie volunteered as a “boat valet,” helping participants in and out of kayaks on each day of the two-day event along the Connecticut River, which is set to be held this year on Aug. 20 and 21.
“It ends up being a lot of physical labor,” said Vallie, who described the event as a “nice weekend with good people.”
For those who don’t want to be in the water, there are other volunteer opportunities available. Help is also needed to set up and break down the event’s closing ceremony and cookout at Kilowatt Park South in Wilder, said Catherine Hogan, director of development and marketing for West Central. The organization also needs volunteers to unload event materials at the nonprofit’s Lebanon offices once the event concludes.
Vallie is returning to the event this year as a participant, paddling alongside others who formed teams in memory of loved ones they’ve lost to suicide.
“Over the years I’ve been inspired by some of the younger people who get involved,” Vallie said, “because I know they’re involved because of friends they’ve lost.”
Editor’s note: For more information about Paddlepower volunteer opportunities, contact Catherine Hogan at chogan@wcbh.org or 603-448-0126, ext. 2112.
Correction
Those interested in volunteering for Paddlepower this weekend should call 603-448-0126, ext. 2112. An earlier version gave an incorrect phone number.
