Families First Awards Honours Volunteers of the Year
Individuals who provide service excellence through volunteering in our community were nominated and awards were presented May 4, 2016 as part of the Families First 20th anniversary celebration.
Congratulations to Families First, a past Biz X award recipient for the “Most Trusted Funeral Parlour.”
The following is a list of the winners
CELIA GAGNON – WINDSOR POLICE – (Ride for Dad, Dragon Boat Races, Special Olympics, VIP Program)
LORRI KEYS – CANADIAN DIABETES – Volunteer since 2002
MICHELLE Cvetkovski– STUDENT VOLUNTEER – Windsor Regional Hospital, University of Windsor Peer Support, Paws for Stress , Humane Society, Erie Wildlife, Red Cross and St. Anne’s Church
Sally MacDonnell – HOSPICE OF WINDSOR – 25 year volunteer – 12,000 hours with this organization
Claude Clothier – VON – 83 years old – Also known as Mr. Chocolate Lover’s Brunch has helped raise over $80,000
Julie Bondy – Autism Ontario – Various roles over the years including leadership council and one of the main organizers of Give your Heart to Autism Gala
Cherie Smith – Second Chance Animal Rescue – Dedicated to rescuing animals from high kill shelters and off the street, she also provides therapy dog services for our community.
George Robillard – WINDSOR GOODFELLOWS – Longest standing member of the Windsor Goodfellows 45 years of service
Ettore Bonatto – Windsor Light Opera – Dedicates his time and resources to assisting the WINDSOR LIGHT OPERA
Mike Naismith – Connections Early Years Family Centre – making an impact on children and families coming into the centre.
Launa Fleming : RIVERSIDE MINOR HOCKEY – Longstanding Volunteer with Riverside Minor Hockey – Main organizer of the Families First Family Day Hockey Tournament SOLD OUT EACH YEAR over 40 teams
Beryl Rogers Perz: SEASONS AMHERSTBURG – Dedicated service over the last 4 years 3 times a week
Chelsea Girard – STUDENT VOLUNTEER – Works with over 20 charities and has even started her own non-profit
Karen Usher – AMHERSTBURG RIVER LIGHTS – Works tirelessly to make the river lights festival a success
Anne Marie Beausoeil – Cystic Fibrosis – Princess Ball
Cierra Bray for TLC Animal Aid, Mayor Drew Dilkens Youth Leadership Team, Eyes on Windsor, Cystic Fibrosis Canada
Barry Bartelt – RCL Branch 143 – Advocate for our veterans and dedication to the legion.
Theresa Reaume – Transistion to Betterness (helped raise over $400 000) , Hospice of Windsor , Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital. Shown in feature photo.
Ron Riley for Victoria order of Nurses – Has worked with Meals on Wheels since 2003
Margaret Cowie for Canadian Red Cross- 83 years old – taking care of her wheelchair bound daughter and 2 ill grandchildren all the while giving her time for 47 years to the Red Cross
Bonnie LeLievre for Hospice helped raise over $120,000 for the FACE TO FACE
John MacDonald – Long standing volunteer in civic committees in Amherstburg, Heritage Committee Park House Economic Development Gibson Gallery, Board of St Andrews Presbyterian Church
Rob & Nancy Campana– Run for Rocky – Raising awareness for LGBTQ relations in our community. Run for Rocky is in its fourth year . This year alone they have raised over $70,000
Eliza Lappan for Sparkes and TVCogeco – Gives of herself
John Fairley for Hospice – helped create the hospice Face to Face Campaign
Marianne Angus for the Hospice – longtime volunteer since 1978 , patient care role , ambassador who speaks to community groups about the hospice messages
Marcel, Marc and Dennis Tourangeau – Good neighbours – trio of handy men these brothers take care anyone in need. No job to big no job to small
Photos by Rod Denis – Biz X magazine
