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perform each month for the seniors of the Adult Day Program at Centre 2000, at the annual Window Wonderland event, the Fall Fair, ARC Industries and Bethel Hospice.
Pearson also organized a series of community sing-a-longs for the Canada 150 celebrations, and the Young at Heart Singers (YAHS) recently hosted a community dinner.
“I feel a bit awkward receiving this, because I get so much joy from what I’m doing,” said Pearson. “Everyone in this room who volunteers knows, you get way more than you give.”
She said the YAHS create a “wonderful soulmate kind of feeling, and these people take that good feeling and they spread it to all the other volunteer things that they do.”
Dr. Duncan Bull presented a Shamrock Award to John Wilson, chair of the East Wellington Family Health Team (EWFHT).
Wilson was involved in the design of the EWFHT clinic building in Erin, the introduction of electronic medical records and in representing local interests within the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network and on the board of Headwaters Health Care Centre.
“He’s helping everybody at the family health team be ahead of the game in terms of planning,” said Bull. EWFHT now has 11 doctors, 12,000 patients and 45 staff in Erin and Rockwood.
Wilson said the award is a “great honour” and paid tribute to all the people he works with for their contributions.
Eileen Brown of the Erin Agricultural Society (EAS) presented an award to Carol Pollock for her work with EAS and 4-H activities. “She gives unselfishly of herself and her time almost every day of the year,” said Brown.
Pollock is past president of the fair’s homecraft division, and has been co-chair of the partnership committee. She was a leader for 10 different 4-H clubs in 2018, works with the Wellington County 4-H leaders association and has volunteered with HEADS soccer.
Lloyd Turbitt of the Let’s Get Hillsburgh Growing (LGHG) committee nominated Donna Revell for an award. Since she was out of town, her son Brian accepted the award on her behalf.
Turbitt said Revell, a former Hillsburgh librarian, contributed many “wonderful ideas” to LGHG promotions and had the commitment to see the projects through. She also volunteers with the town’s heritage committee and the YAHS.
Mayor Alls presented an award to Erin Montgomery for her enthusiastic promotion of community events and display of scenic town photos on social media.
She has also been involved in many productions at Century Church Theatre, and recently helped get an osprey nest constructed by the upper pond at Hull’s dam.
Montgomery said she sees volunteering as “being an engaged citizen – you’re hanging out with your friends and doing fun stuff.”
Don Covert presented an award to George McArthur, who worked for many years in the auto parts business, including the store he opened in 1988 on Erindale Drive.
McArthur served in many capacities with the Erin District Lions Club, including three terms as president, and was recently recognized by Lions International for 45 years of continuous service. He was a member of the Erin fire department for 31 years.
“I’ve known George personally for about 65 years, and in my estimation, they don’t come much nicer,” said Covert.
Lisa Crook presented an award to Doreen Marier, for her work with Girl Guides of Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
“She mentors youth in the community – she’s a positive role model for the cadets,” said Crook. As 2nd vice-president at the Legion, she is involved in fundraising to help veterans and their families.
“I do not do this alone,” said Marier, noting she works within teams of other volunteers and organization members.
Barb Carscadden presented an award to Carol Gordon, a retired teacher who is a “mother figure and friend” while volunteering on the front desk at the East Wellington Community Services office in Erin.
“She is a longtime resident who demonstrates the love of her community in the many ways in which she contributes her time,” said Carscadden. “She helps lighten the load for others ”
Gordon has helped organize EWCS community dinners, and continues to contribute at St. John Brebeuf Catholic School volunteering in a reading program to build literacy skills. Gordon said working at EWCS is a social time. “We do have a lot of good times,” she said.
