The selfless efforts of residents in Annapolis Royal, Middleton, Bridgetown, and the County of Annapolis were recognized in Halifax April 12 as the province celebrated the 36th annual Nova Scotia Volunteer Awards.
Jack Pearle (Annapolis County), Paul Stackhouse (Annapolis Royal), Leonard MacDonald (Bridgetown), and Elizabeth Spinney (Middleton) were among more than 70 volunteers honoured at the gala event, and received well-deserved thanks from Premier Darrell Dexter.
“All over Nova Scotia, volunteers are improving the quality of life for their fellow citizens,” said Dexter. “I speak on behalf of everyone in our province when I say thank you for all that you give.”
The provincial awards served as an early kick-off to National Volunteer Week being celebrated April 18 to 24.
More than half of Nova Scotians identify themselves as volunteers, giving the province one of the highest rates of volunteering in Canada. Their contributions are estimated to be worth $1.8 billion to the provincial economy.
Minister of Volunteerism, Marilyn More, stressed the importance of volunteering and the skills, experience, and passion that volunteers bring to communities.
“Volunteers support community organizations in so many different ways, providing essential programs and services in communities all across Nova Scotia,” she said. “I encourage all Nova Scotians to get involved, volunteer, and give back.”
Provincial Awards
Following are biographies of the four local provincial volunteers in the form of the actual nomination letters. Following that are other volunteers of the year and the organization that nominated them.
Municipality of the County of Annapolis
Jack Pearle – Nominated by Annapolis Valley Exhibition
Jack has been a committed volunteer for over 30 years.
Jack has been involved with the Annapolis Valley Exhibition since he was a small child, helping his dad exhibit livestock. He has held the positions of president and vice-president, and has served on committees too numerous to mention. He was instrumental in the development and realization of the Riverbank Stage, one of the greatest venues in the Annapolis Valley for entertainment.
Jack goes above and beyond the call of duty, and because he lives so close to the exhibition grounds, he is the first one called upon if help is needed. No matter what the job - big or small, day or night - we can count on him!
For many years the Annapolis County Federation of Agriculture enjoyed Jack’s participation in numerous positions - president and on the Cattle Sales Committee - to mention only a few. He was a member of the Annapolis County Woodlot Owners Association for many years.
Jack is a very avid and strong supporter of the Annapolis County 4-H clubs and the Paradise Community Hall.
However, if you were to ask Jack, he would say his proudest accomplishments in life by far are his two children, Randy and Michelle, and his grandchildren, Cassidy and Cameron.
Jack Pearle is well-known, highly respected, generous and competent. We cannot thank him enough for his heart-at-work.
Congratulations Jack!
Town of Annapolis Royal
Paul Stackhouse – Nominated by Annapolis Region Destination Marketing Association
Paul Stackhouse has been volunteering in some way for as long as anyone can remember. We have nominated Paul as our Volunteer of the Year because he is passionate about the promotion of our area and has put in countless hours working with others developing marketing work plans, pursuing funding opportunities and researching the shifts in the tourism trade.
As a business owner of the award-winning Hillsdale House Inn, Paul’s volunteer efforts range from the local level through promotion of neighbourhood fundraising initiatives through the loan of his Inn to donations of services. Paul has also lent his expertise in hotel operations management and tourism development to a range of local boards and committees he is currently serving on, or has previously served on. Since moving to Annapolis Royal in 2006, Paul has contributed time to the Annapolis Region Tourism Council, the Hanse Society (Upper Clements Parks), the Annapolis Digby Economic Development Agency, the Annapolis Royal Wharf Association, the Annapolis Royal Business Liaison Committee, and he is the current chair of the Annapolis Region Destination Marketing Association. He has facilitated the development of various initiatives including the Annapolis Region Tourism Vision and a short-term Destination Marketing Plan for the Town of Annapolis Royal. In addition, Paul always keeps abreast of local issues affecting business, regularly reaches out in a more informal way to the Annapolis region business community, and opens his home for meetings to discuss those things that impact us all.
In the provincial realm Paul’s contributions are even more far reaching. He is a former vice-president of Destination Southwest Nova Scotia Association (2007–2009) and is a tourism industry representative on the Bay of Fundy Transportation Coalition. From the 1990’s to 2006 Paul was involved with the Nova Scotia Tourism Partnership Council in various capacities, including serving as chair and on various committees and task teams. He is the past chair of the Tourism Vision Team for Nova Scotia. From the late 1990’s into the 2000’s he served in various senior roles on the board of the Hotel Association of Nova Scotia and the board of Destination Halifax.
With Paul’s education and work experience in commerce, management and the hotel and tourism industry, it is not surprising that he is so sought after as a volunteer. He is an avid and thoughtful member of any organization or project he turns his hand to and his input is of great value. He is organized and always prepared. Annapolis Royal has benefited greatly since his relocation to the area and the fact that he has embraced the area and committed himself to making it better makes him a valued member of our community. His passion about improving tourism in the province as well as Annapolis Royal is what makes him such an exceptional volunteer in this sector. Paul is always willing to take that extra step to make things work and his belief that we can all work together is what will make us stronger.
The Annapolis Region Destination Marketing Association applauds Paul Stackhouse for all he has done and all he will do in the future.
Town of Bridgetown
Leonard MacDonald – Nominated by Bridgetown Lions Club
Leonard, commonly known as Len, has been involved with Lions for over 30 years. In that time has served as president and secretary. Currently he involved with the installation of Northwood In Touch (help line units). He is a very active Lion and can be counted on to assist with any activity, be it the Lions breakfast, maintenance of the Lions hall, setting up the hall for functions, manning the bar at Ciderfest, or monitoring traffic for the Triathlon.
Len’s work with Lions is not his only volunteer work. In fact, he has been a volunteer for over 40 years. He volunteered with Family & Children Services for five years and with the now Annapolis County Children’s Foundation for two years. Len has been with the Yarmouth Diocesan Administration Council for four years, which means trips to Yarmouth every six to eight weeks. He has also been responsible for the Bridgetown and Annapolis Catholic Churches for the past year. In 2006 Len was awarded the Volunteer of the Week by CTV.
“All over Nova Scotia, volunteers are improving the quality of life for their fellow citizens. I speak on behalf of everyone in our province when I say thank you for all that you give.” - Premier Darrell Dexter
Len has been on the Board of Directors of the Annapolis Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association for ten years and presently holds the position of secretary. Len is also involved with the Nova Scotia Liberal Party and has been seen driving the Liberal Leader around the province.
If asked, Len would probably tell you that his most rewarding volunteer work is as a teacher at Mountain Lea Lodge’s senior’s complex where he goes every week. The clients who go to his classes absolutely love him.
For anyone who has ever volunteered with Len, they will know that he also loves his “work” and is always willing to help out wherever needed. There are times when he will come to a Lion’s function after having picked up someone who was in need of a drive somewhere, be it a student stranded away from home at university, or a senior needing a drive to a medical appointment.
Len is always there to help.
Town of Middleton
Elizabeth Spinney -- Nominated by Soldier’s Memorial Health Auxiliary
For the past 10 years, Elizabeth has been an active member of Soldier’s Memorial Health Auxiliary. She has served on several committees and is currently the president, a position she has had for the past five years. Elizabeth was the team captain for the auxiliary’s Relay for Life team. Elizabeth is an eager and willing volunteer in all fundraising activities – the Hospital Carousel, bake sales, raffles, suppers, etc.
Seeing the need and importance in the local community, Elizabeth was instrumental in the formation and is a founding member of the Gold Door Youth Health Centre in Middleton. She is currently a board member of the Gold Door Society and has held the vice-president and president positions.
Elizabeth is very involved in her church, the Holy Trinity Anglican Church. She was a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Anglican Church Women and sat on the church council. Presently, she is a tireless volunteer helping out at the fundraising suppers hosted by the church.
Elizabeth was very active with both elementary and high school activities. She would volunteer her time to read to the children, as a member of the Parent Teacher/School Association; assisted in the cafeteria and at the arts & craft days at the school. Later, Elizabeth became very active with the Junior and Senior school bands and was president of the Band Association, a position she held for two years. She was active with all the fundraisers associated with the school band program. She also volunteered her time and talents to the MRHS Safe Grad committee.
Elizabeth’s volunteer activities have been a huge benefit to other organizations in her community. She continues to canvass for the Kidney Foundation of Canada and has been the “kit captain” for a number of years. She is also the “kit captain” and canvasser for the Diabetes Association and Heart & Stroke Foundation.
Thank you Elizabeth for all you do for our auxiliary and for others in our community!
Volunteers of the Year
Wanda Batson
Lawrencetown Swimming Pool Society
Bill Bishop
Annapolis County Trails Society
Bradley Boyd
Branch 122 Clementsport Royal Canadian Legion
Janice Brooks
Bridgetown & Area Garden Club
Paula Buxton
The Kings Theatre Society
Sherry Caldwell
Annapolis Heritage Society
Betty Chazalon
Bridgetown and Area Friends of the Library Society
Sue Comeau
Linda Mae Findlay – Bear River
Deborah Cooper
Annapolis Country Ground Search and Rescue
Clinton Cress
Round Hill Recreation Commission & Round Hill Hall Company
George Demmons
The Maitland Bridge Hall Society
Jane DeWolfe
Annapolis Community Health Center Auxiliary
Lynda Fairn
Rosemary Chapter IODE
Claude Grimard
Canadian Cancer Society – NS Division
Joan Hamilton
Northhills Nursing Home
David & Linda Hankinson
Paradise Community Hall
Cindy Hutchinson
Bridgetown Seakings & Bridgetown Band Parents Association
Achim Jankowski
Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens
Marge Keast
Canadian Mental Health Association, Annapolis Branch
Barbara LeBlanc
Fundy Communities Development Association
Shirley Lowe
Bridgetown Regional Elementary School
Lesley MacDonald
Lawrencetown Exhibition Youth Arena
Curtis & Anne MacIntyre
Middleton Skating Club
Josephine Merlin
Deep Brook/Waldec Lions Club
Meghann Moore
Family Matters
Harold Moran
Granville Centre Untied Baptist Church
Judith (Judy) Ann Orde
Milford & Area Community Association
Doug Parker
Clean Annapolis River Project
Matthew Pembleton
Lawrencetown and District Volunteer Fire Department
Tom Porter
Bridgetown and Area Food Bank
Ritva-Leena Ratto
Annapolis Region Community Arts Council
Phyllis Smith
Nictaux Fire-Ettes
Roy Stubbs
Cornwallis Park Community Association
Joe Tidd
Bridgetown Curling Club
Jane White
Mountain Lea Lodge – School Program
