(Posted 1 p.m., May 16, 2004)
Fallingbrook volunteers honoured for selfless contribution to community
By Fred Sherwin
Orleans Online

The Fallingbrook Community Association held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Awards Saturday night in recognition of the many individuals whose selfless contributions of time and energy, help make the community a better place to live.

The list of recipients included school volunteers, Scouting and Guiding leaders, minor sports volunteers and even the founder of a certain community news and information website.

Each of the recipients was introduced by the person who nominated them, while the task of handing out the awards was left to Ottawa Mayor Bob Chiarelli, Ottawa-Orléans MPP Phil McNeely, Orléans Ward Coun. Herb Kreling and Cumberland Ward Coun. Rob Jellett.

In addressing the gathering, Chiarelli lauded the award recipients stating that they and thousands of other volunteers across Ottawa are what makes the city so great.

"Last year Parent Magazine selected Ottawa as the best city in Canada to raise a family. That type of thing doesn't happen by coincidence. It takes people working from the ground up," said Chiarelli. "The people here tonight make it happen for the kids and they make it happen for the community."

In his speech, Kreling picked up on the theme of volunteers being the pillars of the community.

"It's because of people like yourselves who give so freely of their time that help create the community and continue to make it a better place to live for our families, our children and our neighbours. Tonight we celebrate their kindness and their spirit," said Kreling.

The first award was presented to Dorthea Glavind, a parent volunteer and at Fallingbrook Community Elementary School.

Glavind helped launch the school's Early Literacy Program five years ago and has taken on every task imaginable over the years.

"Not a day goes by when I haven't seen her at school," attested Fallingbrook Community Elementary School principal Denise Norris in introducing Glavind.

Scout masters Sylvain Fleurant and David Gibbons both picked up awards for their years of service to the local Scouting movement.

Gibbons moved up through the Scouting ranks as a youngster and then a teenager. He returned to the movement four years ago to volunteer as a Beaver and Cub Scout leader. Last year, he accepted the position of group Quartermaster and is often called upon to be the chief cook at area camps and local Jamborees.

Fleurant is a Scout and Venturer leader with the 55E Ste. Marie d'Orléans Scout Group. He is currently involved in planning a trip to an International Jamboree in Belgium in July as well as the consruction of a shelter at a Rovers district camp in Low, Quebec.

"This means a great deal to me. It's one thing to get feedback from the kids or their parents, but to get it back from others in the community who are outside the movement makes you feel great," said Fleurant after receiveing his award.

Other individual awards went to Girl Guide leader Debbie Cameron; Chantal Desjardins from LOEB for their community support; Cumberland Minor Hockey Association executive member and former coach Michel Gratton; Fallingbrook Canada Day organizing committee member Brenda Spearman; Orléans Online founder Fred Sherwin; and French Catholic school board volunteer Sylvie Garand who was introduced by her two daughters.

Two Fallingbrook families were also recognized for their contributions to the community. Herbert Stuemer and his sons Jonathan, Michael and Christopher each received a Community Builder Award for their efforts in maintaining the Northern Magic Fund for International Development first established during their circumnavigation of the globe three years ago.

The Béland family was also recognized for their many years of volunteer service in the coaching fraternity. Jacques Béland has coached soccer and hockey for the past 16 years, while his wife Nancy is a volunteer coach with the Gloucester Ottawa Kingfish Swiming Club and the head administrator of the Club's "I Can Swim Fast" program.

The Béland's commitment to coaching has been passed down to their three sons, Alexandre, Zachary and Nicolas as well as their daughter Danielle.

"It's always nice to have your efforts recognized. It just makes you want to go out and volunteer even more," said Nancy Béland.

In summing up the 14th edition of the Volunteer Appreciation Awards, Fallingbrook Community Association president Zybina Richards applauded the 20 recipients and the hundreds of other volunteers in the community whose efforts often go unnoticed, are no less appreciated.

"Volunteers might not always have the time, but they always have the heart and you all have a very big heart," said Richards.

To find out more about the Fallingbrook Community Association Awards and view a list of past winners visit http://www.fallingbrook.com/.

Additional photos taken by Frank Dugal can be found at http://www.PictureTrail.com/gid4649994&pathID=1015869