2019 Volunteer Awards
On December 2, the Town of Peace River celebrated volunteers and all they contribute to our community during the third Volunteer Awards.
The Volunteer Awards Program is a program that Council, the Community Services Advisory Board and Administration are very passionate about. Our first year was in 2017, this year was our third year recognizing community volunteers through the Volunteer Awards Program. Each winner received a gift bag and a $500 donation was made to the charity or non-profit of their choice by the Town of Peace River.
Award Categories
Community Recognition Award
- A dedicated individual who has volunteered in our community for the 2019 year.
Volunteer of the Year Award
- A dedicated individual who has gone above and beyond in supporting our community throughout the 2019 year and has inspired volunteers, has led volunteer groups or has made other exceptional achievements through volunteering.
Emerging Leader Award
- Recognizes youth volunteers 18 years and younger who have demonstrated leadership and helped build a stronger community throughout the 2019 year.
Selection Process
The public nominated volunteers from June 1 to October 1, 2019. From there the Community Services Advisory Board reviewed and scored each nominee individually and recipients were determined. All the nominations were extremely powerful and inspiring. The Community Services Advisory Board had a difficult time scoring each nominee. In total there were seven nominees.
Winners
Seth Parker – Emerging Leader Award
- Seth is 14 and goes to Glenmary High School
- Has volunteered for over 50 hours coaching and mentoring younger children in basketball teams and events
- Has been volunteering for 2.5 years
Seth has inspired other children to: “to be healthy, athletic, motivated, and passionate children of the community”. (taken from nomination form). Seth will be donating to Jumpstart.
Dianne Ireland – Community Recognition Award
- Dedicated volunteer as a Victim Services Advocate
- Responds to support requests whether at a police scene, hospital setting or court date.
- Dianne has been volunteering for 11 years.
“Dianne has assisted so many clients over the years in what was their darkest hours.” (taken from nomination form). Dianne will be donating to Victim Services.
Paul Hebert – Volunteer of the Year Award
- Organizes and runs Picnic in the Park every Thursday during the summer and fall seasons.
- There is no cost to those who choose to attend these events.
- Paul has been volunteering for 4 years.
Picnic in the Park gives people a place to come together as a community and share a meal. Paul will be donating to the Picnic in the Park.
Nominees
Nadine Kamieniecki
Nadine has been volunteering for 2 years in our community. She volunteers at many events and with several programs, a few of which are: Air Show, Colour Me Fun Run, Peace Pride Parade, Meals on Wheels, Soup Kitchen and Canada Day Celebrations.
Carol Drescher
Carol has been volunteering for 5 years in our community. Some of the organizations she volunteers with are Peace Regional Restorative Justice Association, Miserable Miles Race, Mighty Peace Barbell Club.
Emily Smith
No picture available.
Emily has been volunteering for 3 years in our community. She volunteers at the Peace Region Dance Society as Board Secretary.
Courtney Hughes
Courtney has been volunteering for 7 years in our community. She volunteers with many organizations. In the Woods Animal Rescue, the annual Miserable Miles Event, Restorative Justice Masquerade Ball, and Peace River Rotary Club.
Mark Owens
Mark has been volunteering for 8 years in our community. He is a dedicated football coach and spends many hours volunteering and inspired others to get involved with football. Taken from nomination form: “Mark has been dedicated to coaching football since I had met him in grade 9, he inspired a young group of girls to play football by starting a girls team. He’s coached pioneers, prospectors, panthers and started the atom pirates in spring 2018. He not only runs these teams but inspires children and young adults each and everyday.
Suzin Jorgensen
No picture available.
“She has fed, helped clothed and been there to listen. Helped people fill out forms to enable them to attain assistance. I know I am extremely proud of her, she is a true humanitarian. Has never asked for anything but is willing to help anyone that needs it.”
Thank you!
We enjoyed getting to know everyone through their applications. Thank you for all you do for your community.