News Release
April 4, 2014
Volunteer Centre to Celebrate National Volunteer Week with Special Awards
Local volunteers will get the chance to take a well-deserved bow when the United Way Volunteer Centre hands out ‘Volunteers Grow Community’ awards at a special reception on Monday, April 7, from 4-6 p.m. in Memorial Hall, City Hall, 216 Ontario Street, Kingston.
This year the following individuals will be recognized: Margaret Baldwin, nominated by Hospice Lennox & Addington; Corus Entertainment, nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters; Tessa Grant (youth), nominated by H’art Centre; Bill Griffin, nominated by St. Vincent de Paul Society of Kingston; Tracie Hanna, nominated by Sexual Assault Centre Kingston and a family that volunteers together – Kim Robinson, Madison Cormier, Paige Cormier and Karter Cormier, nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters. [Please see volunteer biographies below.]
“Volunteers play a crucial role in strengthening our communities,” says Jacquie Costron, Regional Director, Investors Group and a member of the Volunteer Centre Advisory Committee. “We are delighted to take this time to recognize their contributions and the spirit of volunteerism that exists in the KFL&A community.”
The celebration will help mark National Volunteer Week which takes place from April 6 to April 12 this year. During this week-long celebration of volunteerism, registered charities, not-for-profit organizations and volunteer centres pause to thank and recognize their volunteers.
The City of Kingston has recognized National Volunteer Week by issuing a proclamation declaring April 6 to April 12 National Volunteer Week in the City of Kingston. A representative from the Mayor’s Office will be on hand to help recognize the award recipients and all volunteers who attend the event.
Investors Group has sponsored the Volunteers Grow Community Awards and the Volunteer Week celebration for the past 3 years.
For information about National Volunteer Week and statistics about volunteering in KFL&A and Canada, please visit the United Way website.
About United Way Volunteer Centre
Established in 2011, the United Way Volunteer Centre matches individuals in KFL&A looking to volunteer with not-for-profit organizations that have volunteer opportunities. Visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca for more information.
-30-
Media Contacts:
Sherri Pilgrim, United Way KFLA, 613-542-2674, ext. 3 communications@unitedwaykfla.ca
Jacquie Costron, Investors Group, 613-384-8973, Jacquie.costron@investorsgroup.com
2014 VOLUNTEERS GROW COMMUNITY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Youth Volunteer
Tessa Grant – Nominated by H’art Centre
Tessa has been volunteering for over 2 years with H’art Centre as a classroom teacher assistant. She always creates a positive space, adjusting her communication to fit the needs of her students, who are adults with intellectual disabilities.
Tessa is a youth who takes initiative and learns all that she can from H’art participants. She balances university and work along with her volunteer commitment, and is very dependable. She is a leader in the classroom, and often volunteers beyond her scheduled hours to provide assistance for special projects. She even rearranged her school schedule in order to be a consistent stage coach for her students who performed a play over a series of 8 shows. Tessa has a positive attitude, which is infectious and inspiring to all of those around her. Through her kind heart and gentle spirit, she assists her students at H’art to reach their highest potential through arts and education.
Employee Workplace Volunteer Group
Corus Entertainment – Nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters
For the past 8 years, employees at Corus entertainment have volunteered their personal time with Big Brothers Big Sisters in many roles. They have committed to being in-school mentors for an hour each week for a child during the school year; volunteered on the Board & committees providing an average of 3 hours each per month; organized recreation events; and put together teams and raised pledges for the “Bowl for Kids Sake” event and other fundraisers. Through their volunteer efforts, Corus employees have participated in 80% of the agencies fundraising activities. Their support has helped to heighten awareness, increase volunteer inquiries, and raise the number of children Big Brothers Big Sisters has matched with caring adults for on-going friendship, support and guidance. In addition, Corus actively participates in the community by volunteering their time for many other organizations and events.
Family Volunteering
The Cormier Family – Nominated by Big Brothers Big Sisters
(Kim Robinson and her three children Madison, Paige and Karter Cormier)
As a single mother, Kim and her three children Madison, Paige and Karter, moved to Kingston a few years ago so Kim could attend school at St. Lawrence College. With the transition to a new community, a very busy schedule, and trying to maintain a family life, Kim sought the services and support of Big Brothers Big Sisters, for her children.
The Cormier family is a shining example of a family volunteering, together. Madison, Paige and Karter have learned through the positive influence and dedication of their mother, what it means to give back. As a family, they volunteer their time at all of the agency’s special events. No job is too big or too small. They flip burgers, wash cars and gather teams and raise pledges for the annual “Bowl for Kids Sake” event. Kim has also taken on the role of being a public spokesperson on TV and radio, to talk about what a difference the agency has made, especially to the lives of her children. As a recent graduate, Kim is now working fulltime in a local lawyer’s office. She and her children continue to volunteer to show their appreciation and give back.
Individual Volunteers
Margaret Baldwin – Nominated by Hospice Lennox & Addington
Margaret began volunteering more than 40 years ago in her community of Napanee when she joined the local Kinettes Club, and still today, serves as Secretary for the organization. She gives her time freely to several other organizations, and currently is a board member and fundraising committee member with Seniors Outreach Services; Secretary for the Retired Teachers of Ontario-Napanee Branch, she delivers the Tales and Tunes for Tots program to community children, she is a Sunday School Teacher at St. Mary Magdalene Church; a volunteer for Lennox & Addington County General Hospital Auxiliary; she sells daffodils for the Canadian Cancer Society, and raises funds for Canadian Diabetes Association.
In addition to all of this, for the past 12 years, Margaret has been Board Chair for Hospice Lennox & Addington. The impact of her work ensures that palliative care and bereavement services are available to those in need. Margaret is compassionate and generous, always putting others needs ahead of her own. She is a true inspiration to others, sharing her many skills and experiences, never asking for anything in return. Margaret volunteers between 60-80 hours a month, and needless to say, she has a heart of gold.
Bill Griffin – Nominated by St. Vincent de Paul
Bill has been volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul Society for the past 6 years. He is a dedicated and committed individual who gives generously of his time to the agency, five days a week. Bill picks up volunteers at the start of the day and provides their transportation home. He also picks up donations and inventory needed for the hot meal program and emergency pantry, offered free of charge to those in need in the community. Bill monitors the facility for needed repairs and safety concerns, often fixing issues as they arise. Among the many responsibilities Bill has taken on as a volunteer, he is a fantastic role model for other volunteers and clients alike. He demonstrates a positive, generous and willing spirit, every single day, acting as a mentor to youth who volunteer at the agency and participate in programs. He is a steadfast and dependable volunteer who is an integral part of the agency’s team. Bill’s devotion, contribution of time and support of St. Vincent de Paul Society is unwavering, and, staff say it would be difficult to run the organization without him.
Tracie Hanna – Nominated by Sexual Assault Centre Kingston
Tracie has been volunteering with Sexual Assault Centre Kingston since 2013. In this short time she has contributed over 1,200 hours of volunteer service to the agency, all while being a single mother of two young girls, and working full-time in cancer research. She is passionate in her volunteer work to provide public education striving towards the prevention of all forms of sexualized violence, and as a front-line support to survivors of sexualized violence. With her compassion and skills, Tracie is an active and non-judgemental listener who provides a safe environment for women in their healing. She accompanies them to police, hospital and court, and has completed specialized intervention training to work on the agency’s crisis and support line. On average, Tracie volunteers on the crisis line, for 7 shifts of 4-6 hours each month. Tracie is a leader and mentor for new volunteers as they shadow her. She also volunteers for the agency’s Funds Development Committee and helps with Bingo.
Leave a Reply