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Nomination open for Volunteer awards

Nomination forms are now available for the Volunteer Appreciation awards that are handed out each year in Barrhead during National Volunteer Week, which will run April 7-13, 2019.

Nomination forms are now available for the Volunteer Appreciation awards that are handed out each year in Barrhead during National Volunteer Week, which will run April 7-13, 2019.

The forms are available at the Town and County of Barrhead, the Barrhead Public Library and Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).

Each year, Barrhead volunteers are recognized during a volunteer appreciation night hosted at the end of National Volunteer Week.

A total of five trophies are given out: a Volunteer of the Year award, a “Make a Difference” award for a worthy group, a youth award for individuals under the age of 24, a Long-standing Service award for either groups or individuals, and the Rosemarie Empey Award for an outstanding individual.

The event is organized by a committee composed of representatives from the town, county, library, FCSS and the Blue Heron Support Services Association, along with some prior award recipients.

Ros Rudd, who sits on the volunteer appreciation committee as FCSS’ representative, said that Barrhead has a lot of services and facilities that wouldn’t exist without volunteers.

“We know that we have a very good, active volunteer base in Barrhead, and we know that we have all sorts of people who are worthy to be nominated.”

Rudd said she recalls the volunteer appreciation night featured a pair of young singers from either Spruce Grove or Stony Plain a few years ago.

These young girls were incredibly impressed upon hearing the bios of the award recipients, particularly the youth winners.

“They said they have nothing like this in our community. They were just blown away,” she said. “There’s people that are just doing great work everywhere.”

The deadline to nominate Barrhead and area residents for the awards is Wednesday, March 27.

Notably, Rudd said the library has set aside the week of March 18-22 to bring in volunteers who will help fill out the nomination forms. Anyone needing such assistance can call the library at (780) 674-8519 to register.

Stressing that volunteers must be informed of their nomination, Rudd said they want everyone to be on an even playing field in regards to the awards.

A form with large gaps in the information presented could ensure that nominee isn’t in the running, she said.

“When you nominate somebody, you want to make sure that you have enough to give them a fair shake at getting (the award),” she said.

“You don’t want your nomination not to be considered because you’ve forgotten something or you haven’t gotten all the information you need.”

The actual trophies will be handed out at the volunteer appreciation night on Saturday, April 13.  Rudd noted they are trying something different this year and will be holding the awards ceremony at noontime instead of a dinner presentation.

The event will be held at the Bethel Pentecostal Church in Barrhead. Rudd noted the theme this year will be “Volunteers Rock.”


Barry Kerton

About the Author: Barry Kerton

Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
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