Forty-five Wellington volunteers were recognized for their selfless contributions in a ceremony at the River Run Centre here on March 14.
Ontario is celebrating more than 11,000 volunteers at 54 Ontario Volunteer Service Award ceremonies across the province from March to June.
The awards recognize Ontarians for volunteering their time to organizations like the Canadian Red Cross and Girl Guides of Canada, and helping out with community volunteer projects like organizing science fairs, planting trees, helping seniors stay active and welcoming newcomers.
Certificates and customized trillium pins are awarded to people with five to 60-plus years of service. Youths are also recognized for two or more years of volunteer service.
Local volunteer and retired teacher Ian Turner of Arthur spoke at the ceremony on the importance of volunteerism in the community.
“Volunteerism, I believe, is the heartbeat of any community,” he said. “Volunteerism is a ‘win-win’ for everyone. The volunteer feels better and is happier … for the person helped the sun seems to shine a little brighter.”
Provincial officials encourage nominations from organizations across the province for the volunteer awards. Submissions can be made at www.citizenship.gov.on.ca.
Wellington County volunteers recognized at the Guelph ceremony are listed below. There are other ceremonies in the region at which Wellington volunteers are also to be recognized.
40 years
Dorothy Gillespie of Hillsburgh, Erin Agricultural Society; and
Norma Goring of Rockwood, Wellington County Museum and Archives.
30 years
Ken Edwards of Elora, Elora Festival and Singers;
Sandra Fournier-Coombe of Fergus, Elora Festival and Singers; and
Sharon Rice of Elora, Elora Festival and Singers.
25 years
Anne Cornelisse of Fergus, Wellington County Museum and Archives;
Ian Easterbrook of Fergus, Wellington County Museum and Archives; and
Ellen Thomson of Rockwood, Erin Agricultural Society.
20 years
Jacob Cornelisse of Fergus, Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home;
Frieda Mulder of Elora, Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home;
Tom Skimson of Elora, Elora Cataract Trailway Association;
Norma Soul of Erin, Erin Agricultural Society; and
Ruth Vibe of Erin, Erin Agricultural Society.
15 years
Anna Drenters of Rockwood, Eden House Care Facility;
Maria Drenters of Rockwood, Eden House Care Facility;
Rod Irving of Fergus, Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home;
David Knight of Elora, Guelph Symphony Orchestra;
Ed Mitukiewicz of Elora, Elora Cataract Trailway Association;
Eileen Parkinson of Fergus, Girl Guides of Canada; and
Nancy Wood of Elora, Elora Festival of Singers.
10 years
Nicola Adam of Morriston, Girl Guides of Canada;
Gerry Blacklock of Fergus, Elora Cataract Trailway Association;
Gail Brown of Elora, Elora Cataract Trailway Association;
Candace Burnett of Moorefield, Girl Guides of Canada;
Iona Chesworth of Eden Mills, Girl Guides of Canada;
Nick Croll of Erin, Canadian Red Cross;
Peter Debeyer of Moorefield, Victorian Order of Nurses;
Margaret Feller of Drayton, Girl Guides of Canada;
Barbara Gow of Elora, Elora Festival and Singers; and
Richard Pinder of Fergus, Professional Engineers Ontario – Grand River Chapter.
Five years
Krista Babic of Rockwood, Girl Guides of Canada;
Sharon Carey of Elora, Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home;
Brenda Connelly of Rockwood, Girl Guides of Canada;
Bob Dack of Elora, Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home;
Mary Furness of Rockwood, Girl Guides of Canada;
Marion Gray of Moorfield, Girl Guides of Canada;
Zelia Heeringa of Rockwood, Girl Guides of Canada;
Susan Leuty of Fergus, Ontario Trillium Foundation;
Margaret McCarney of Ariss, Wellington Terrace Long-Term Care Home;
Lyn Messmer of Rockwood, Ontario Electric Railway Historical Association;
Jan Mowbray of Rockwood, Town of Milton; and
Shannon Smith of Alma, Girl Guides of Canada.
Youth
Cassandra Chornoboy of Rockwood, Wellington Junior Farmers;
Meghan Vanderyt of Rockwood, The Foundation Fighting Blindness; and
Edward Wallace of Elora, Wellington Junior Farmers.
