Matt Brosens
Congratulations, Matt Brosens!
Matt Brosens is a newer member of the Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department and by newer, we mean within the last 5 years! Matt is always keen to learn and given his background has a lot of experience behind the wheel of the main pumper truck.
Matt is also a busy local entrepreneur (Skye Glen Creamery) with a young family, but he makes time to attend fire department meetings, practices and is ready to attend call outs.
The Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department is lucky to have great volunteers like Matt who are community focused and so giving of their time.
Congratulations, Matt!
Margie Beaton
Congratulations, Margie Beaton!
Mabou & District Community Development Association are pleased to recognize Margie Beaton for her community volunteer efforts.
Margie Beaton has been a resident of Mabou for over forty years; she and her husband Stanley have raised a family of four girls and are now proudly devoted to their six grandchildren. As a retired teacher, Margie has undoubtedly influenced many former students to become community minded citizens.
Gaelic language and culture have always been Margie’s priorities and she has been a volunteer with the Mabou Gaelic & Historical Society ever since its founding in 1974, as well as being involved in all aspects of An Drochaid Museum, whether in history or language or in the many events which the Museum continues to host. As Vice Chair of Colaisde na Gàidhlig, she promotes the language in the wider sphere while also continuing to support and offer guidance to Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide, the all Gaelic school which opened in Mabou two years ago. She is a member of St. Mary’s Church choir while Còisir an Eilein is yet another area where her linguistic and musical expertise is in demand to help prepare for concert performances.
Margie has devoted twenty years of service to the Veterans’ Poppy Campaign and is currently researching for the Cenotaph Committee of the Local Legion. She has devoted over twenty years of her time as a past member of the West Mabou Beach Committee and continues to make sure the local Fitness Centre remains open and is well organized for the health and benefit of the community.
To quote a fellow volunteer, “Margie brings so much positive energy and enthusiasm to every project which is infectiously transferred to others. She is an excellent leader, leads by example, tackling whatever comes her way with respect, compassion and dignity”.
Margie’s volunteer record exemplifies volunteerism, and we are eternally grateful to her and her work.
Congratulations, Margie!
Judy Cairns
Congratulations, Judy Cairns!
North Mountain Cultural & Recreation Association is happy to nominate Judy Cairns as our volunteer of the year for 2023.
Judy has been a tremendous asset to our community since she and her partner Art moved here several years ago. Our board had been struggling to find someone to head up organizing the upstairs of our hall which contains numerous articles of history from the past. She volunteered to take this on and she and her committee spent numerous hours cleaning up, painting, sorting items, organizing and planning. It is a work in progress but the display of our history that we end up with will be impressive.
Judy is an active member of our Garden & Activities committee and is always willing to help when needed. She is a very social person, the “life of the party,” always coming up with new ideas to bring our community together.
Judy is also a member of our library committee, helping to get that new venture up and running. North Mountain Cultural & Recreation Association appreciates all that you do Judy!
Congratulations!
Jason Aucoin
Congratulations, Jason Aucoin!
The Lemoine Volunteer Fire Department is pleased to nominate Jason Aucoin as their 2023 Volunteer of the Year.
Jason joined the fire department on August 24, 2011. His attendance and participation in alarms and activities has always been above acceptable standards. He is a great asset to the department; always ready and willing to do what he can.
Jason works as a Primary Care Paramedic and was instrumental in establishing the Medical First Responder Program within the fire department. He is responsible for medical training, medical equipment, and medical supplies. We appreciate what he does for the department.
Jason’s interest in the fire department permitted him to hold many positions; MFR Facilitator since 2014, became Vice President in 2019/2020, became Lieutenant in 2021 and just this year promoted to Captain.
Jason participates in our fundraising activities and can often be found behind the BBQ, cooking up a meal for the volunteers.
The Lemoine Vol. Fire Dept. is proud to nominate Jason as our Volunteer of the Year.
Congratulations!
Gerard Beaton
Congratulations, Gerard Beaton!
Comunn Gàidhlig agus Eachdraidh Mhàbu/Mabou Gaelic and Historical Society is pleased to nominate Gerard Beaton as its volunteer of the year for 2023.
Gerard has been very involved with the Gaelic language and culture from a very young age and is a very familiar figure at concerts throughout Inverness County as an accomplished step dancer. He is also in much demand as a stepdance instructor throughout the Maritime provinces and, more recently, as an instructor at Ceòlas festival in Scotland. His studies in the Gaelic language followed him from Mabou Consolidated School through to the University level where he was also a very active member of the ST FX Celtic Society.
Gerard joined the board of the Mabou Gaelic and Historical Society in 2018 and his contributions have been invaluable over the years. He spends hours each year perusing the vast collections of photographs at An Drochaid museum; selecting and researching photos; and producing the Museum’s Annual Historical calendar. As co-chair of the History Committee, he has instigated and organised a long overdue “Interview Project” with community elders, in order to record and preserve the history of Mabou and area. This is an ongoing project. At the Society’s ceilidhs, he is always willing and available to stepdance and to help out in any way he can.
We are indebted to Gerard for his volunteer spirit and for always being willing to assist the Mabou Gaelic and Historical Society.
Congratulations, Gerard!
Derrick Cameron
Congratulations, Derrick Cameron!
Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society is happy to nominate Derrick Cameron as their 2023 Volunteer of the Year.
Derrick first became involved with the Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society when he attended our meetings as a representative of the Community Health Board Volunteer group. He was impressed with the advocacy work the Society was doing to promote optimal Palliative Care in the Strait Area. When his term on the Community Health Board ended, he became a member of the Society.
Derrick continues to be a very effective and active member of the Board of the Strait Richmond Palliative Care Society. His caring for and enthusiasm in advocating for the rights of Palliative patients and their families is inspiring. He has been Board Chair for the past four years.
With Derrick as chair, the society has continued to strive, in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Health Palliative Care Team in the Strait Richmond area to enhance the care, comfort and quality of life for patients while they are living in their own homes or in hospital. Derrick participates in and supports advocacy for palliative patients in Strait Richmond and South Inverness to have equitable access to the best possible and culturally sensitive palliative care both for patients and their families.
Derrick accepted the demanding, challenging and time-consuming role as Chair of the Society four years ago. His leadership skills and dedication to supporting palliative care services ensure that monthly, executive and special meetings run smoothly and respectfully with positive results.
Thank you and Congratulations, Derrick!
Volunteer Recognition 2023: Deidre Gillis
Congratulations, Deidre Gillis!
Margaree Area Development Association (MADA) is pleased to nominate Deidre Gillis as our 2023 Volunteer of the Year for her ongoing efforts to support our important Communities in Bloom projects throughout the Margaree’s. Deidre is a steady community supporter in the Margaree’s and has been a hard-working volunteer for MADA’s Communities in Bloom committee for several years.
Whether Dee is helping with our spring planting, our watering and weeding during the summer months or our planter clean-up in the fall, she continues to offer cheerful, dependable support. We couldn’t do our flowers and planters without her!
Deidre is also active with the Margaree Kinettes and lends a hand whenever she can.
We applaud Deidre’s community spirit and are proud to have her represent MADA this year as our 2023 Volunteer of the Year.
Congratulations, Deidre!
Inverness County to Celebrate Volunteers with New Recognition Program
INVERNESS COUNTY, N.S. – The Municipality of the County of Inverness is calling for residents to nominate dedicated volunteers that deserve to be celebrated as part of a new recognition program.
The Municipality is unable to host the Annual Volunteer Awards and Dinner this year due to COVID-19 related public health restrictions. Instead, the Municipality will highlight one volunteer a week through its social media channels, website, and the Participaper. Along with their certificate of recognition, the volunteer of the week will be awarded with a gift certificate from a local Inverness County business of their choice.
Organizations and individuals are encouraged to nominate deserving volunteers who have made a significant impact on their community this past year. The early-bird deadline for nominations is February 26th, but nominations are accepted until April 23rd. Names of all early-bird nominees will be put in a draw to have a chance to represent Inverness County at the Provincial Virtual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony on April 26th, 2021.
“This year has seen people go above and beyond in service of others,” said Warden Laurie Cranton. “From helping seniors with groceries, to organizing virtual entertainment events, to maintaining trails and planning recreation activities, and everything in between, volunteers kept us all safe and connected during a global pandemic.”
To nominate someone today, visit https://invernesscounty.ca/eservices/forms-a-z/ or contact Lisa Organ at lisa.organ@invernesscounty.ca.
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