STRATFORD – Twenty people who volunteer time in their Huron County communities were honoured in an awards ceremony in Stratford last night.
It was the first of 52 ceremonies planned across the province to celebrate the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards, recognizing more than 10,000 volunteers for continuous service to an organization. Certificates and trillium pins were awarded for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 and 60 or more years of service. Youth will also be recognized for two or more years of volunteer service.
The recipients were nominated by the organizations they serve.
“Ontario’s volunteers are one of our province’s greatest assets. They are role models for all of us. I’m delighted to celebrate their dedication, hard work and outstanding leadership with Volunteer Service Awards,” said Michael Coteau, the minister of Citizenship and Immigration.
Local recipients include:
Clarice Dalton of Auburn, for 25 years of volunteer service with Maitland Manor Long-term Care Home;
Laurine Madge, of Goderich, for 30 years of volunteer service with Maitland Manor Long-term Care Home;
Dale Baechler, of Goderich, for 30 years of volunteer service with the Goderich Fire Department;
Don Procter, of Belgrave, for 20 years of volunteer service with Huron Hospice Volunteer Service;
Yvonne Kitchen, of Brussels, for 20 years of volunteer service with Huron Hospice Volunteer Service;
June MacEwen, of Gorrie, for 20 years of volunteer service with Huron Hospice Volunteer Service;
Cathy Semple, of Clinton, for 15 years of volunteer service with Huron Hospice Volunteer Service;
Ted Turner, of Goderich, for 15 years of volunteer service with Huron County Museum and Historic Gaol;
Shirley Staffen, of Seaforth, for 15 years of volunteer service with Huron Hospice Volunteer Service;
Joan Stewart, of Seaforth, for 15 years of volunteer service with Huron Hospice Volunteer Service;
Merle Underwood, of Wingham, for 10 years of volunteer service with Alzheimer Society of Huron County;
Dianne Loerchner, of Bayfield, for 10 years of volunteer service with Alzheimer Society of Huron County;
Mariette Bilcke, of Hensall, for 10 years of volunteer service with VON – Perth-Huron Services;
Marion Snow, of Hensall, for 10 years of volunteer service with VON – Perth-Huron Services;
Brenda Burkholder, of Blyth, for five years of volunteer service with Victim Services of Huron County;
Sharon Gibson, of Centralia, for five years of volunteer service with Alzheimer Society of Huron County;
Heidi Grant, of Goderich, for five years of volunteer service with Alzheimer Society of Huron County;
Colin Stanway, of Goderich, for five years of volunteer service with Victim Services of Huron County;
Joyce Scotchmer, of Goderich, for five years of volunteer service with Alzheimer Society of Huron County;
Janice Hayter-Oak, of Grand Bend, for five years of volunteer service with Alzheimer Society of Huron County.
