April is National Volunteer Month, and what better way to celebrate than with an ice cream social to thank volunteers for all that they do? Held April 30 in the Multi Service Center, the Volunteer Appreciation Ice Cream Social honored volunteers from the Council on Aging, Wareham Free Library, and Friends of the Elderly.

"You need volunteers to get the job done," said Marcia Griswold, who helped organize the event. She is the Director of the Council on Aging and Acting Director of the Wareham Free Library. "[Volunteers] are the spirit of the community."

Ice cream with all the fixings was served along with cupcakes and cookies. Colorful balloons added to the cheer.

The event was attended by Town Administrator Mark Andrews as well as Selectmen Walter Cruz and Steve Holmes.

Joan Thompson, Director of Mayflower RSVP, which coordinates volunteer programs in Southeastern Mass., spoke of the importance of donating one's time. It doesn't matter what you do, she said.

"There is only one thing that matters, and that's what's inside your heart," Thompson said.

Kate Furler, Coordinator of Volunteers at the Wareham Free Library and a library trustee, said volunteers are necessary contributors to the day-to-day operation of the library. They dust and organize shelves of books and even help clean the courtyard.

"It's not glamorous stuff, but it's the meat and potatoes," Furler said.

And the volunteers are thrilled to help. Jim Hazlett, who volunteers in the library's research room assisting an intern from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, said he has one of the best jobs.

"I met a great kid, and I'm very interested in history, too," Hazlett said.