Volunteers are a driving force in small communities and last week the Maidstone Eldon Recreation Board held their 2011 Volunteer Awards Banquet. The celebration was held at the Waseca Hall April 14. Award winners and their families, friends and guests enjoyed time to visit, supper and the presentations. The recreation board collected nominees from individuals and community groups earlier in the year and selected Gill Churn, Arlee Lumgair, Kevin Schimelfenig and Joan and Howie Smith as this year's winners.
Gill Churn was named as Volunteer of the Year. Originally from New Zealand, Churn came to Canada as a nurse and has been actively involved in Maidstone for four decades. She has been involved with the United Church Women, the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Lilydale Ladies, the nurses interest group, Communities in Bloom, the Pine Island Suites renovation group, the Prairie North Health Board, the Social Services Advisory Committee and the Maidstone Housing Authority. In the past she has volunteered with the arena and high school food service programs and currently oversees a Tuesday morning coffee and craft gathering for Pine Island Suites and Pine Island Apartment residents.
"Although Gill puts her heart and soul into any project she takes on, she tends to avoid any recognition or praise. Gill's actions have always spoken of integrity, goodness, hard work, commitment and a sincere desire to serve others with respect and human decency," wrote Heather and Michael Chisholm in their letter nominating Churn for the award.
Arlee Lumgair received the Senior (55+)Volunteer Award. Lumgair was nominated for her contributions to the communities of Waseca and Maidstone. After moving to Waseca from Manitoba she volunteered with the Waseca Hall Board, the Waseca Fire Hall fundraising group, the 4-H sewing group and the Waseca Home and School Committee when Waseca still had a school. She is involved at Pine Island Lodge, chairs the Waseca Community Centre Board, is part of the Waseca Quilting Group and is the chairperson of the Maidstone Group Home Society.
"Over the years, Arlee has been a tireless contributor to the Waseca-Maidstone communities. She did all this while she was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a neighbour, a care giver in every sense of the word," wrote Walter Campbell in the nomination letter for Lumgair.
Kevin Schimelfenig was presented with the Individual Volunteer Award for his work in the village of Waseca. He is currently serving on the Recreation Board, the Hall Board and the Rink Board. He has organized many dances, talent nights and fundraisers and readily helps with community events including the upcoming centennial celebrations, drama presentations and suppers.
"Kevin can always be counted on to help with any fixing and cleaning 'bees' at the rink, community centre, church, park and cemetery, putting up our new community signs or carving turkey. Whether it is equipment, material or simply physical labour he is always there. Kevin is an inspiration to the younger generation and an integral part of our community," wrote Betty Dekker on behalf of the Waseca Recreation Board, the group who nominated Schimelfenig.
Joan and Howie Smith were recognized as the Volunteer Couple of the Year. The Smiths are actively involved in the Town of Maidstone working together on many projects. They are best known for their hard work and dedication to the organization of the Maidstone Trade Fair and the community's annual Canada Day Old Time Sports Day. Their spirit of cooperation and appreciation of each other's gifts is a shining example to other couples.
"It takes people like Joan and Howie to make these events happen. Where would Maidstone be without the hours and dedication they have given us for so many years. So on behalf of all the people young and old who come out and enjoy these events, a huge 'Thank You' to Joan and Howie," wrote Nola and Cal Donald in their nomination letter.
Time and talent are the treasures of volunteers and the region is a better place to live because of those recognized by the Maidstone Eldon Recreation Board.
