April 10, 2000
PREMIER TO HONOUR VOLUNTEERS
AT ANNUAL AWARDS LUNCHEON
Eleven individuals and groups will receive the 2000 Premier's Volunteer Service Award at a luncheon tomorrow at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
The 17th Annual Volunteer Awards Luncheon, hosted by the Volunteer Centre of Winnipeg, highlights Volunteer Week in Manitoba.
"I am very pleased to have this opportunity to honour so many people who have done so much for our province," Premier Gary Doer said. "We are indeed fortunate that the spirit of volunteering is so ingrained in our provincial psyche.
"Volunteers saved us from the worst ravages of flood waters in 1997 and turned last summer's Pan Am Games into a resounding success that will linger in our memories for many years to come. And, every day, Manitobans from all walks of life continue to devote countless hours in service to others."
In the community group category, four organizations will receive the award:
- The volunteers of the 1999 Pan American Games for their contributions to the success of the Games. Over 20,000 volunteers provided a wide variety of services to athletes, visitors and spectators.
- The Norway House Artificial Ice Committee for fund-raising efforts that made recreational programming, hockey leagues and tournaments possible in the community, resulting in a 60 to 70 per cent decrease in crimes associated with drugs and alcohol.
- The Pinawa Land Development Group formed in 1996 to help find solutions to lessen the impact of the closure of the Whiteshell Laboratories. The group has developed a plan and created numerous initiatives designed to enhance the survival of the community.
- The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Manitoba Thrift Stores' 2,500 volunteers who operate 16 stores that provide $1.2 million in support annually to MCC programs in Manitoba and 50 countries around the world.
In the individual category, five volunteers will receive the award:
- Mary Beamish for over 40 years of dedicated service to the Winnipeg Art Gallery. She has brought new audiences of all ages to learn about and support the visual arts through her collecting, research, public talks and behind-the-scenes commitment.
- Corinne Bremner, co-chair of the NEW committee (Naturalization of Enhancement of Warren), for drawing the community together to develop an almost barren piece of land into a playground/park for school and community.
- Lee Anderson, a long-time member of the Junior League of Winnipeg and a founding member of Manitoba ALIVE, a leadership initiative for voluntary efforts. She also developed a Community Service Learning Program at Balmoral Hall School.
- Iris Ingram for her volunteer commitment to Winnipeg's inner city. Her leadership is responsible for two organizations: the Spence Neighbourhood Council, composed of area residents and business owners, and the Winnipeg Inner City Home Ownership Inc., dedicated to achieving a stable neighbourhood through home ownership.
- Dr. Glen Bergeron, president of the Manitoba Head Injury Association Inc., who is largely responsible for resurrecting a troubled organization that provides support, assistance and advocacy for brain injured individuals and their families.
In the youth category, there will be two recipients:
- Shanna Hapko, who, as project leader, inspired record breaking student participation in the Loonie Lines for Holiday Food campaign, providing over 100 grocery hampers for needy students during the holiday season. She is also a three-term member of the Black Hole Theatre Company.
- The Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association for Champions, a drug and alcohol education program to make elementary school students aware of the effects of peer pressure. About 220 students from 60 high schools across Manitoba are trained to provide positive leadership for the program.
Judges for the 14th year of the Premier's Volunteer Service Awards were Lila Goodspeed of Volunteer Canada, rural volunteer Susan Hart-Kulbaba and Pat Plohman of Elwick Community School.
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