A volunteer appreciation night was held Thursday evening at Mennonite Heritage Village for all those who donated their time and skills throughout the year.

Program Director Anne Toews says over 900 volunteer shifts need to be filled to cover all their summer events to run adding without the volunteers the staff would be overwhelmed with more than they could handle.

"I really appreciate [them] and I just feel so humbled that the volunteers donate so much of their time to spend here, they obviously believe in what we do. They are here because they want to be, not because someone asked them to be or because it's their job. We just thank the volunteers from the bottom of our hearts."

Toews notes at each festival there are 120 to 130 volunteer shifts per day which need to be filled in order for the events to run.

Evelyn Friesen has been volunteering for over 40 years at the museum and says she has helped out at reception, waffle booth, and various fundraising events.

"I love this place, and I love history. I'm into genealogy and, somehow, this place connects me even with my great, great grandma. Another thing, I love when people come here and want to know a little bit about their past, to relive the memories that they have and just to explain a few things to them that we see in the village."

Friesen says she thinks it's important to get younger people interested in the museum and history so they can know where they came from.

Meanwhile, Teresa Schalm says this is her first time volunteering since 1987 and had a very positive experience once again.

"I have enjoyed it so much.  Connecting with people, that's the best part because you meet people and you find out where they're from so you make connections. I've lived overseas and I've lived in other provinces, so that helps to make connections. I'm married to someone who grew up in Africa and I have family in Brazil, so when you know people around the world you can make connections."

Schalm says she has never had much of a volunteer spirit but adds this experience helped her to see outside herself and concentrate more on how she could make each customer's experience better.