The Labrador Creative Arts Festival Committee hosted the 33rd annual festival in November 2008. Against all odds, this small group of volunteers works throughout the year to write funding proposals and solicit the $150 thousand dollars required to pay for the event. They identify artists, and then match artists' skills with the interests of students. They find billets for artists and students who travel here from other parts of Labrador and arrange venues for performances and workshops. They also arrange for technical support for performances, pack lunches for the artists each day and organize and host after parties each night. They are looking forward to the opening of the new theatre which will house the festival and make it easier to manage. When asked WHY Do they do this – they answer – because the festival has proven itself over so many years, because it hasn't disappeared despite adversity, change and challenges, and because people believe there will be a festival, there must be a festival. They spend hours of planning and preparation for our children.

Lake Melville Music Festival marked its 25th event in 2007. The goal of the event is to promote music in the Lake Melville region and it is accomplished in a safe welcoming and non-competitive environment for very young and more mature performers. The committee that organizes the festival tirelessly raises funds of about $9 thousand each year to cover the expenses of the event, through the solicitation of corporate sponsorships, entry fees and sales of programs. The festival is often the starting point for young performers and many of our current community leaders participated in the Music Festival in their formative years.

The combined Air Cadets/Army Cadets Leaders teach the cadets a variety of skills and lessons and assist with their training, supervision, and administration. The combined officers spend above 100 hours per week monitoring Flight Simulators, and Ground School training, rifle practice, parades, band practice, and completing paperwork. They also provide extra activities including weekend camping trips twice per year, and sports days, wake-a-thons, and fun activities. The Army Cadet leaders are Captain Joan Harvey, Ocdt Roslyn Bartlett, Cl Shirley White, Cl Scott Whitehorn, Cl Howard Bishop. Air Cadet Leaders are Capt Kristen Legge, Capt Roy Peddle, Ocdt Kristin Blake, Cl Elizabeth Griffiths, Cl Jerry Goudie, Cl Leigh Kenington.

The HVGB Volunteer Fire Department is made up of 30 dedicated individuals who respond to fire and emergency calls at all times of the day or night. In 2007 there were 45 calls for house fires, vehicle fires, motor vehicle accidents and other emergencies. The department also responded to calls from North West River and Sheshatshit and 160 km up the trans Labrador highway. The department carries out the fire inspection service and completed over 600 inspections last year. Many of the volunteers are trained as paramedics and they all constantly train and update certifications. Because of their training and equipment, our fire insurance rates are kept to a minimum. The volunteer firefighters participate in the Muscular Dystrophy fundraiser each year taking donations at Terrington Coop and Northmart. The Volunteer Fire Department plays an essential role in the everyday life of our community.

LMXMHA Executive commits time and energy to ensure that our kids will have a minor hockey league. The Executive includes Happy Valley Goose Bay, North West River and Sheshatshit. Over 250 youth register each year for the minor hockey program. The Executive strives to provide a program that is affordable and encourages equal opportunity, fosters interest and participation, provides supervision and direction and the essential skills and for participants at their own level. Much of their time is spent in fundraising and in 2007, the Executive had raised enough to send 6 teams to the Provincial Easter Tournaments. The positive impact of hockey on the youth of this community would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the devoted members of this Executive.

The United Church Women is a fellowship group of volunteers that raise money for activities that help many needy people in our community. They raise funds through cold plate sales, luncheons, bake sales, giant yard sales and fairs. The funds they raise support local church activities, and Mission and Service for overseas communities. As well, they are raising funds to help build the new church that will include a functional kitchen for fellowship meals and celebrations with the congregation. The UCW donates milk to the Friendship Centre food bank and meals for grieving families on the day of the funeral. The group also provides furniture and birthday cakes for the group home, and birthday parties for seniors in the Paddon Home. They also provide gifts for the Community Christmas Hamper Project.

Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club is a group volunteers that run the non- profit recreational and educational facility just outside the boundary of town. Birch Brook has been operated for nearly 2 decades, and has qualified nationally as a site for competitive racing. With no operational grants, the club keeps going by selling memberships, trail passes, cabin rental, raffles, and craft sales. They are very grateful for corporate sponsorships. The Executive spends many hours researching and writing proposals for government grants to improve their trail system. This group of volunteers gives freely of their time skills and sweat equity to keep the trails open for the good of all in our community. Through years of tireless efforts of cutting trees and grooming trails, of writing funding proposals and soliciting corporate sponsorships, Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club has developed world class ski trails and is about to unveil their new ½ million dollar chalet which includes meeting spaces, classroom space, a rental shop and sauna. That is quite an improvement from the clubhouse with no electricity and no running water. The level of commitment of the hands-on Birch Brook volunteer Executive is inspiring and their work has enabled the club to keep costs very reasonable. This group has done a masterful job in involving children and parents in the ski program and has truly improved the quality of life in our community. The kettle is always on the wood stove and hot beverages are complimentary to all visitors. Members of the executive are Graham Moorehouse, Sam Fequet, Betty Anne Fequet, John Booklam, Steve Gregory, and John Osmond.