GORE BAY—Seven Manitoulin Island residents who are members of the Gore Bay-Western Manitoulin Lions Club have received service awards for outstanding dedicated volunteerism to the community.
“The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards were presented earlier this year,” said Lions Club president Steve Gumb at a meeting last week. However, “our members couldn’t make it to Sudbury so we decided to present the awards this evening with Jeannine Desmarais, Lions zone chair for 14 West.”
As is the case all across the province, volunteers were celebrated at volunteer award ceremonies. More than 11,000 volunteers were honoured at 57 different ceremonies, with 245 residents of Sudbury and the surrounding area having been honoured May 26 in Sudbury.
Lion Joe Baker was recognized for 30 years of volunteer service with the Gore Bay club (although his total involvement in Lionism is 36 years), Miriam Wailes received a 15-year service award, Rose Jackson, Wilma Rupert and Brian Rupert, who each received five year awards from the province. Gord Flanagan (who was not in attendance at the meeting last week) received a 10 year award.
In a letter from Michael Chon, dated July 12, 2016 to each of the volunteer award winners, he states, “as the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade, it is with great pride that I enclose your Volunteer Service Award pin and certificate in celebration of your commitment to volunteerism. They serve as a reminder that you are a part of a special group of Ontarians of all ages and diverse backgrounds.”
“The act of individual volunteering is not something that can be measured. Your efforts and dedication make a lasting impact not only on the organizations and individuals you serve but also on the well-being of Ontarians across our great province,” wrote Mr. Chon.
A certificate was also provided by Michael Mantha, MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, who congratulated each of the volunteers “for their dedicated volunteerism to your community’.”
