Main photo: (From left) Councillor Jonathan Wiebe, Town of Huntsville volunteer Benn Metcalfe, Algonquin Theatre volunteers Sheila Petch and Verna Stephenson, Parry Sound Muskoka MPP Norm Miller, Algonquin Theatre volunteers Scott Winchester, Marg Winchester and Arvina Bennett, and Algonquin Theatre volunteer co-ordinator Kirsty Williamson
At a ceremony Wednesday night, March 28, the Province recognized long-serving volunteers from across Muskoka and Parry Sound at the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.
Each year, organizations can nominate up to nine volunteers (up to six adults) for five to 65 years of continuous service. Youth (24 years old and younger) are recognized for two or more years of continuous service.
At this year’s ceremony at the Active Living Centre, a total of 61 area volunteers were recognized with three Huntsville organizations represented: the Algonquin Theatre, the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and the Town of Huntsville.
With 15 years of service:
Carolyn Andrews, Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
Linda Budd-Money, Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
David Lucas, Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
Gwen Todd, Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
With 10 years of service:
Arvina Bennett, Algonquin Theatre
Benn Metcalfe, Town of Huntsville
Verna Stephenson, Algonquin Theatre
With five years of service:
Sheila Petch, Algonquin Theatre
Marg Winchester, Algonquin Theatre
Scott Winchester, Algonquin Theatre
Each recipient received a stylized trillium service pin and a personalized certificate to acknowledge their years of service. When the years of volunteer service for all 61 recipients were tallied, they totalled an incredible 685 years.
(From left) Councillor Jonathan Wiebe, Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Auxiliary volunteers Linda Budd-Money, Carolyn Andrews, David Lucas, Gwen Todd, and Parry Sound Muskoka MPP Norm Miller
“I think it’s so important to recognize volunteers in our community and the great work you do,” said Parry Sound Muskoka MPP Norm Miller. “It’s really valuable work that just doesn’t get done without volunteers and it really makes a difference in the quality of life for all of us. It makes our community stronger and it’s really appreciated.”
Councillor Jonathan Wiebe added his thanks on behalf of Huntsville’s Town Council. “How lucky we are to have so many great volunteers… When I see the number of years of service that some of our volunteers have, it humbles me to be in the same room with so many dedicated volunteers.”
The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards are presented annually across Ontario from March through June. Organizations who wish to nominate volunteers prior to the January 25 deadline can find more information at ontario.ca.
Don’t miss out on Doppler! Sign up for our free newsletter here.
0 Comments