A total of fifty exemplary volunteers were honoured during the second edition of the Haut-Saint-Laurent Volunteer Recognition Gala, which took place on April 27 at the Vergers Ivanhöe Faille in Franklin.
Organized to coincide with the province-wide Semaine de l’action bénévole, the Gala brought together around 150 individuals in celebration of the enriching role volunteers play in our community. « It is thanks to the dedication of those involved in all spheres of activity that things magically happen: services are rendered, activities are organized, organisations survive and the community is brought together, » said Charles Gascon, the Social Development Agent for the MRC and member of the Gala organizing committee.
The work of six of the original fifty nominees was then highlighted with the presentation of recognition awards as selected by a jury convened especially for this very difficult task. The choice of this year’s laureates was based on specific criteria, which was made all the more challenging by not only the quantity but also the quality of the nominees. The winners in each category include:
-Coup de Coeur Award: Les Caméleons de Haut-Saint-Laurent
-Dedication to a community organization: Mary Shewchuk
-Dedication to their municipality: Angelo Bourdeau
-Dedication to an institution: Sylvain Gascon
-Family Volunteers: the Lachance family
-Business-Corporate Volunteer: La Maison Russet
-Youth Volunteer (24 years and under): Joey Ouimet and Kurt Mueller
Vision-Bénévolat 2017 Recognition Award
The jury was further tasked with selecting one volunteer to receive the esteemed Vision-Bénévolat 2017 Recognition Award. This year, the award was presented to Mary Shewchuk for her intensity, generosity and determination in creating Melissa’s Sunshine Camp, as well as her « incredible devotion in developing services where there were none. »
For 24 years, Melissa’s Sunshine Camp has allowed over fifty children with special needs and their families to have a better quality of life. The organisation offers social recreational services and respite for the families of children and adults with an intellectual and/or physical handicap. These services contribute to the development and social integration of special needs individuals while offering respite to families to help avoid exhaustion and to better balance work and family obligations.
« Because of her positivity and her team spirit Mary Shewchuk has surrounded herself with a great many volunteers. She is a veritable model and an inspiration for many people, » said juror Pauline Wiedow. « Her involvement has had a great impact in the community and she greatly deserves the honour shown her today. »
The organizing committee made sure to thank the evening’s sponsors, including Leahy Orchards, Jean-Luc Crête CPA, Les Assurances Karine Gosselin and Les Assurances Serge Gosselin, the Haut-Saint-Laurent MRC, the Caisse Desjardins du Haut-Saint-Laurent and Stéphane Billette, MNA for Huntingdon.
