Premier Pat Binns and Elmer MacFadyen, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs today announced the recipients of the 2005 Volunteer Recognition Awards. At a ceremony in Montague, six individuals and one couple were recognized for outstanding contributions through their voluntary efforts.
Honoured for their Service to Others is Rosemary Batchilder of Georgetown, David Boyce of Poverty Beach, Ron Erickson of Summerside, Donna Lewis of Brooklyn, Arlene Power of Stratford, Elaine Smith of Hunter River and Bob and Carolyn Bateman of Charlottetown.
“These awards are our opportunity as Islanders and as government to recognize and pay tribute to the people who strengthen our communities, give comfort to our parents and grandparents ... coach our children ... nurture our heritage ... and support our families,” said Premier Pat Binns. “It is our pleasure to recognize the special contributions of each of these volunteers to communities across Prince Edward Island.”
The Government of Prince Edward Island first announced the creation of this awards program in the 2002 Speech from the Throne. An independent committee was established to review all of the names submitted for recognition.
“This award was created to build on the momentum of recognizing volunteers during the 2001 International Year of the Volunteer and to provide Islanders with a method of celebrating volunteers and their contributions to our society,” said Elmer MacFadyen, Minister responsible for Volunteerism. “Each of these individuals is to be commended for unselfishly giving to others without thought to receiving recognition.”
According to the 2000 Survey on Giving, Volunteering and Participating, 37 per cent of Prince Edward Island residents or some 40,000 people volunteered an average of 183 hours each in 2000.
Backgrounder
Volunteer Recognition Awards – 2005 Recipients
Rosemary Batchilder of Georgetown is often called the Heart and Soul of her community where she has been an active volunteer for more 40 years. She is in her 35th year as an adult member of guiding and grew up living the Girl Guide Way. She is also very active in her Church, including serving as a religion teacher. Rosemary works with Hospice, the PEI Heart and Stroke Foundation, L.O.V.E. (Let Older Volunteers Educate), and the Kings County Music Festival.
Bob and Carolyn Bateman of Charlottetown have volunteered in their community for many years while building a very successful business in Prince Edward Island. Bob has been Advisor for the Autism Society of PEI, Co-founder of the Stars for Life Foundation, Chair of the Easter Seals Telethon, Director of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, Director of J.A. Business Hall of Fame, Provincial Chair Canadian Forces Liaison Council, Honourary Chair Joyriders Capital Fund, and Vice Chair Kids Count Eastern School District. Carolyn and Bob have worked and volunteered side by side. Since 1991, Carolyn has been actively involved in working for the rights, inclusion, and improvement of services for young people with autism. Past President of the Autism Society of Prince Edward Island, she is now the President of the new charity Stars for Life Foundation which was started by Carolyn and two other Island Families.
David Boyce of Poverty Beach has been a great volunteer for many years. Most of David's volunteer work has been in protecting the environment and educating Islanders on the importance of our environment. David has been involved in the Environmental Farm Plan Steering Committee for eight years and the Three Rivers Heritage Association for six years. David has also been involved in assisting sports teams in his community.
Ron Erickson of Summerside is part of the city's team which helps to carry out community activities and programs. In the summer Ron can be found at Queen Elizabeth Park assisting with local and national baseball and softball tournaments. He has assisted with Canada Day Celebrations, the New Year's Eve Outdoor Community Celebration and the Atlantic Strongman's Competition. Ron is a worker behind the scenes, quietly doing any job that needs to get done.
Donna Lewis of Brooklyn is a founding member of Kids West Inc. and continues to work with the Home and School in Alberton and Hernwood Schools. Donna has been an active member of the PEI Shellfish Association, Maritime Intertidal Association, and the PEI Aquaculture Association. She has collected reading and craft materials for child victims of the Red River Flood, food and clothing for Christmas hampers, raised money for Aids PEI and she is a member of the Cooper Institute.
Arlene Power of Stratford has volunteered in her community for more than 25 years. She has always put others before herself including taking care of family members. Arlene has spent 25 years collecting Save the Children boxes which are sent to countries around the world for those in need. She is an active member of the Hillsborough Hospital Auxiliary. Arlene assists the Cat Action Team, and helps with Christmas Shoe Boxes for those in need. Arlene is a canvasser for the PEI Heart and Stroke Foundation and Alzheimer's PEI.
Elaine Smith of Hunter River promotes Healthy Lifestyles working with both young ladies and adults. She is a leader in Girl Guides and has been active in the Queen's Health Region Healthy Living Strategy Committee and the Central Queens Family Health Centre. She has been the Provincial Representative on the Canadian Cancer Information Partnership since 1999. Her contributions to the cancer control community are significant in her everyday work, through her voice as a cancer survivor and her volunteer contributions as a patient advocate and health promotion champion.