From organizers to manpower, Charleswood’s centennial planning committee is hoping for an injection of volunteers.

Charleswood turns 100 on Feb. 13, and some 25 events, lectures and socials are in various stages of planning, organizers say.

"There’s a large need (for volunteers)," said Dan Furlan, centennial committee chair.

"We have a hard working bunch right now, but we have lots of plans."

There are about 40 volunteers across the group’s subcommittees, but Furlan is hoping to boost those numbers to at least 70.

The group is especially looking for residents new to the community – from those who moved in last week to last month to 10 years ago, Furlan said.

"It’s a chance to learn more about the community and come up with ideas themselves," Furlan said.

"We have the type of organization that if someone brand new showed up and said ‘Why don’t we do this?’ and could gather a couple volunteers, we’d help them go for it.

"The more people you get out, the more word spreads," he said.

Lifelong Charleswood resident Jaclyn Clement said she joined the centennial planning committee because she wanted to give back to her community.

"It’s important to have involvement from all age groups," said Clement, 25, who serves as second vice-president of the Charleswood Historical Society and sits on the centennial committee’s trails subcommittee.

A former student council president at Oak Park High School, Clement said it’s important for area youth to take an interest in Charleswood’s history to pass down to future generations.

"History is a big deal," Clement said. "Knowing who (helped build Charleswood) are things we need to preserve so future generations know what people had to go through to make Charleswood what it is today."

Events in the next few months include lectures on the local species of birds and local artifacts, the Charleswood Historical Society’s annual Funspiel (planned by Clement), a Super Saturday historical fashion show, and the Charleswood Art Group’s Springtide art show.

That doesn’t include summer events, which include a Canada Day car show, garden tours, a golf tournament and a centennial social.

For more, visit http://charleswoodhistoricalsociety.ca.

matt.preprost@canstarnews.com