Volunteers who are making a positive difference were, once again, centre-stage at the Volunteers Changing Lives Awards, presented by United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County, in partnership with the Windsor Star on Tuesday evening.
Seven awards were handed out to volunteers in Windsor and Essex County whose contributions support United Way’s strategic community priorities, and the Windsor Star’s Civic Beautification Award, in memory of Bill Higgins.
“We had an incredible response from the community for this year’s group of nominees,” says Lorraine Goddard, CEO of United Way. “Windsor and Essex County is fortunate to have such committed, caring volunteers. I’d like to offer my congratulations to all of the recipients who contributed their time and talents, and to offer my sincere thanks to all the nominees, and the organizations that took the time to recognize our community’s hard-working volunteers.”
“Volunteers are the center of our community in so many ways,” says Beverly Becker, director of local marketing & special projects at the Windsor Star. “Windsor Star is proud to partner with United Way to celebrate the businesses and people that strengthen our community through charitable giving and volunteerism.”
Awards were presented to:
- Homework Program Volunteer Tutors Group, Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Society – Changing Lives by Helping Kids Be All That They Can Be
- Dr. Jerri Ann Buxton & Leslie Rebner – Changing Lives by Moving People from Poverty To Possibility
- Melissa Matos – Changing Lives by Building Strong Communities
- Lina Chaker – Youth Changing Lives
- Ray & Shirley (Posthumously) Gould – Retirees Changing Lives
- BMO Financial Group – Changing Lives through the Workplace
- Nevi Rusich – The Windsor Star’s Civic Beautification Award
FEATURE PHOTO BY KAREN BRADY From left: Cheryl Dufour Jim Inglis, BMO Financial Group; Lina Chaker; Julia Pharand Brian Homick Children’s Aid Society volunteers; Melissa Matos Dr Frank Holland Goyeau St. Clinic; Leslie Rebner Dr Jerri Ann Buxton Street Health Clinic; Nevi Rusich Museums Windsor; Ray Gould Unemployed Help Centre Volunteer.
