Can you picture your favorite local summer event without the volunteers? How about the rest of the year’s? I couldn’t think of any that would be what they are, if they would happen at all. And around the Wiscasset and Boothbay regions, a lot less good would get done.

From high schoolers to retirees, workers on their day off or their lunch break, summer residents to year-round ones, volunteers are helping raise funds and awareness for causes; keeping holiday and other community traditions alive; and helping our towns serve us. They give their time and their physical and other strengths in the cold or under the sun, or in the town archives or a library used book store, so we can have fun, be together, find help, learn, worship, honor, celebrate and more. 

Volunteers put the ‘v’ in the village former Democratic presidential nominee Hilary Clinton said it takes to raise a child and so many causes have said it also takes for theirs. See everyone thanking volunteers this week in our second section, pages 4 and 5. 

Volunteers just want to help, they aren’t out for our thanks. But they certainly deserve it.

Thank one every chance you get. They are easy enough to find. They are all around. You just might have to walk quickly, to keep up with them.

This week’s positive parting thought: Hang in there, Red Sox fans. We have seen (some) glimmers of hope!