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Parker, Cooper, Toonders presented with awards |
by Steve Dills
Sylvan Lake News
Sylvan Lake’s volunteers were recognized and thanked at a gala appreciation dinner last Friday night attended by more than 200 people representing a variety of organizations.
Volunteers of the year
Named volunteers of the year were Fern Parker and Norm Cooper. “The two people we are honouring tonight have impacted the lives of many and their reach is far,” said councillor Lynda Sills Fiedler.
The “team couple” are active in fundraising for both the Senior’s Centre and the 55+ Club, are members of the entertainment committee for both the Legion and Senior’s Centre, have spent many hours visiting with the ill and shut-ins in the community and in the hospital, and are very active in their church.
“I can only hope that an army of young volunteers will be ready when these two choose to slow down; because it will take an army to fill their shoes,” said Fiedler. “They embody the true meaning of volunteering. Any group would be lucky to have them as members or volunteers.”
Other nominees for the volunteer of the year award were:
• Dennis Braun who has been a volunteer karate instructor for eight years, give endlessly to children and youth in Central Alberta and is a mentor and a leader.
• Johanna Dietrich who has volunteered at the Seniors Lodge for 20 years, is always available to lend a hand and has been described as “a special lady with quiet style and kindly ways”.
• Sherry Palomaki who has been involved in Girl Guides of Canada for over 20 years, is a Guide unit leader for girls aged 9-12, has been involved in the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up, participates in the annual Food Bank Drive, Elves Workshop and Legion Bingo and currently sits on the Royal Canadian Legion, Br. 212, executive board.
• Donna Ellerby who works tirelessly coordinating Sylvan Lake Community Christmas Dinner, is a member of the board of directors of Sylvan Lake & Area Community Partners Association, is a regular volunteer for the food bank and a member of the board for Shalom Counselling.
Healthy Communities Initiative Cup
Matt Toonders was presented with the Healthy Communities Initiative Cup for his community activism work towards “saving the green space”, the former C.P. Rail right-of-way.
“Although there were several very worthy nominations, this nominee was the one that best fit within all areas of theTown of Sylvan Lake Vision for a healthy community,” said June McFadden. “These include natural beauty, living together, people connecting, healthy living and balance.”
She said when the committee considered who had done the best for the community health wise, the lights went on. Matt Toonders was the obvious choice. “He gave us a place to walk our dogs all the time. He even made council bow down and realize they couldn’t put the RCMP building there.”
Replying to the honour, Toonders said, “I hope the green space creates itself even further, possibly joining into Red Deer at some time in the future.” He also thanked everyone who took the time “to protect what we need as a healthy community — our environment”.
Other nominees for the awards were:
• the Collective Kitchen, a program which was revived by Christina McLeod, Donna Hughes and Cindy Greuter. These ladies volunteer uncountable hours and ask for nothing in return other than participation.
• Helen McLean. She’s a great support to both seniors and to people facing personal challenges. She has worked tirelessly ministering to those in need and is working with the trailer park residents.
• Stella MacInnes. Although the nomination would not typically fit within the criteria, the committee wanted to recognize the wonderful gift that Stella has given as she has donated all of the profits from her book, “When the Lights Go Out” to World Vision Children’s Fund.
Mayor Susan Samson said she could find no words more meaningful than those in the proclamation for Volunteer Week. “They clearly, succinctly and from the heart described why we’re here,” she said, before reading the document.
“Well done citizens, well done,” she concluded.
MLA Luke Ouellette said, “The people you’re encouraging here deserve all of our thanks. Their efforts are making a difference for people in Sylvan Lake.”
He quoted Winston Churchill, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.”
“That’s appropriate here tonight,” he continued. “Because of what you give our community is a much better place.”
The evening continued with the humour of entertainer Tom Liske who had everyone laughing uproariously.
Emcee Karen Miller concluded the evening and left the audience with one more quote to ponder. “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” by Margaret Mead.
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