by John Dowd
For the Doyle family, volunteering has turned into a way of life, so when Sean Doyle, president of the Stevensville Civic Cub, heard that he was going to be recognized as the Volunteer of the Year by the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce, all he could say was that he was “surprised.”
According to Doyle, he “didn’t realize these awards were a thing.” Even though the Stevensville Civic Club is a Chamber member, Doyle said he unfortunately does not know some of the things the Chamber does. He said he is so busy, and often the events he helps with overlap with Chamber events, so he rarely is able to attend the Chamber events, open houses, award ceremonies and the like.
Sean Doyle. Photo courtesy Sean Doyle.
However, Doyle said, “I’m very honored,” to receive the award, and added that, “there’s quite a few volunteers in the valley,” so he really was surprised to hear he was recognized out of all the great things people are doing.
Doyle works for a software company, teaching customers and users how to use the software the company makes, which he has been doing for 25 years. He joined the Civic Club in 2019 to help with Creamery Picnic. He says that two-hour shift turned into a lot more.
Doyle joined the Stevensville Civic Club board around the time of the Splash Pad project, in 2021, and took on the club presidency in the summer of 2022. When asked why, he explained that he was the vice president at the request of the then-president. That president stepped down not long before the end of the term, and Doyle stepped up to take it on and finish out the term. He then ran for the position in 2023. For him, it was just a natural progression, and he loves doing it.
In speaking with Doyle, it’s easy to see how much Doyle loves volunteering. In fact, part of the reason he was nominated was because he helps with a lot of things, not just Civic Club events. He is also involved in the Scarecrow Festival, the Stevensville Police Department Chili Cook-off, the Bitterroot Heritage Academy, American Legion events and more. He said he is not even a member of the Legion.
For him, the recognition goes well beyond what he does. “It’s not just me, it’s my family,” said Doyle. He said, “Volunteering is kind of a team sport.” These events take many hands to make, and his family members have all jumped in to lend a hand, along with the many other community members.
Doyle spoke about his family, and how he, his wife, and his kids are all very active and help with a lot of events. “Where people need help, we kinda just show up and get involved,” said Doyle. “Volunteering really has kinda become a family affair.”
His wife was involved with Stevensville youth soccer for a number of years. His kids have volunteered for the Creamery Picnic set up/tear down and a revived First-Friday crafting event that saw its debut May 2. Five teenagers volunteered to help out at the crafting event, two of which are Doyle’s kids. According to Doyle, the other three were his children’s friends.
This event takes place the first Friday of the month, and the teenagers of their own accord have decided to keep volunteering for the event.
Doyle said this is great because he and others are trying to get the “volunteer spirit into some of the younger kids as well,” and seeing these young community members so driven to join in is a big success, and hopefully a cure to a waning level of volunteerism in the valley. According to Doyle, many of the long-time events and organizations are feeling this disturbing trend. Volunteering and hosting all these events can take its toll, and Doyle is afraid to see these things disappear. However, he understands all too well how much work these things can be. When asked why he does it all, he said, “It’s a blast.”
The big events are long days. However, Doyle said it may be cliché, but there is something about seeing “everybody smiling and giggling and laughing,” covered in mud from the pig races or dancing in the street, that makes it all worth it.
He hopes more young people can find that “volunteer spirit” soon, because he would “hate to see the traditions fade.” According to Doyle, “Western Heritage Days is now a thing of the past.” Without volunteers to make them happen, events like it have faded away. Doyle said, “All the board of the Civic Club work so hard,” and they even considered taking on the Western Heritage Days event, but it was just too much with everything else they do. In fact, they do so much that it can be overwhelming and they need all the help they can get. This will be the 112th Creamery Picnic. “It would be really sad to see that go away,” said Doyle. That is a big part of why he stays involved.
The Stevensville Civic Club hosts the kids crafting event every month to give parents a break, and teens an opportunity to volunteer. They are also excited for this year’s Pig-nic, on July 4, and of course the Creamery Picnic August 1 and 2. Additionally, this year the Civic Club will be taking on the Brewfest that happens the first Saturday in October, during the Scarecrow Festival.
For those interested in volunteering with the Stevensville Civic Club, interested parties can visit the organization website, stepensvillecivicclub.com, or call (406) 303-9221.