Why don’t people understand how nonprofits and community volunteer groups function?

Like most people, we are tired of being tired. We are tired of delays. We are tired of cancellations. We are tired of lousy elected officials — and we are tired of COVID-19.

On Thursday, the AM Rotary Club of Butler had to announce with disappointment that the Ice Festival they normally host, produce, promote, sell, supervise, prepare and clean up over has fallen victim to COVID-19 restrictions.

The torrent of negative comments from people whose only connection to the festival was to attend and gain enjoyment from other people’s work were outraged. They were being denied the opportunity to attend a free activity that they would have no involvement with except to be there.

Our major volunteering days are past. Three terms as president of a local civic club, although not the AM Rotary Club, gave us a good taste of appreciation from some groups and shock from how others would act when nothing is quite perfect and able to fully please them.

Here it is, folks. Organizations such as Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, Soroptimists and others are volunteer-based. Most of the members are giving of their personal time after a full workday, or after a full career, and trying to do something positive for the community. They aren’t just at their keyboards whining that someone should be doing more for them or that they deserve more recognition. They are a blessing to each and every town that has one of these organizations.

Most of the activities that happen in Butler and even all of Western Pennsylvania would not happen without civic club volunteers.

Specifically addressing the Ice Festival — you complainers are pathetic. The club works all year toward this major event with planning and action committees. The last thing they want to do is cancel it. The festival is a major source of revenue for them.

You know what they do with that festival revenue? They pour it right back into the community. They fix parks. They improve entryways into our city. They make Butler County a better place.

Many factors cause such cancellations. COVID-19 restrictions include more intense crowd control than normal or there would be fights in the park over mask regulations.

The workers need protection. The ice carvers would be subjected to face-to-face communications with total strangers who may or may not have had exposure. You will want to buy chili or hot chocolate from a street vendor.

But those people aren’t coming because the crowds will be smaller and too many inconsiderate people won’t be wearing masks. It is a shame that you nasty keyboard warriors aren’t getting to enjoy the labors of someone else’s volunteer work, so maybe its time for you to become one of the volunteers.

We can assure you the members of these clubs are every bit as busy in their personal lives as you are, so don’t use that excuse. They too are raising families, running businesses and taking care of loved ones. You don’t have an excuse that they also couldn’t use.

So, before you call the “manager,” as some were threatening to do on Facebook, be ready to tell them how you intend to help.

And please wear your mask.

— RV