February 24, 2021; Liverpool, NS: Much like the effect that a stone cast on water makes, causing ripples that extend beyond the point of impact, the actions of volunteers are felt throughout the community. At the February 23, 2021 Region of Queens Municipality’s Regular Council meeting, two Volunteers of the Year were selected to represent Queens County, and will receive the Provincial Volunteer Award. Kendra Shot of Hunts Point, and Ron Shupe of Liverpool, were selected from nine Ripple Effect Volunteer Initiative nominations (representing 12 individuals) received over the past year; there were several volunteers who were nominated together in one nomination as they do much of their volunteer work together. Each year, Council chooses two Volunteers of the Year for the Region of Queens who will receive an award at the Provincial Volunteer Awards Ceremony held near Volunteer Week in April. The Provincial Volunteer Award is a once in a lifetime award. , and the Province of Nova Scotia honours approximately 70 volunteers from across Nova Scotia each year for their commitment and dedication to community life. The ceremony is being held virtually this year, on April 26, 2021, in Halifax. National Volunteer Week takes places April 18 – 24, 2021.
“Our volunteers are one of our greatest assets in Queens County, and recognition of their work and how they contribute to life in Queens County is important,” said Darlene Norman, Mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality. “Congratulations and thank you to Kendra and Ron, and to all the nominees.”
The Ripple Effect Volunteer Initiative is a local volunteer recognition program launched in the fall of 2015 to showcase the efforts of volunteers in Queens County. Nominations may be submitted throughout the year by members of the community; the nominees’ biographies and photographs are posted on the Region of Queens website, Facebook and Twitter pages, enabling the community to learn about the volunteer work of their friends and neighbors. The nominations are accepted all year long, and those nominated between February of the previous year and January 31 of the current year are eligible for selection as Volunteer of the Year, and the Provincial Volunteer Award.
From February 2020 through to January 31, 2021, nine nominations were received for the Ripple Effect, representing 12 individuals. Those nominated were Ella Eddy, Liverpool and Ellie Hartlen, Liverpool (nominated together); Mike Ferguson, Milton; Brian Godfrey, Brooklyn; James and Tanya Grant, Milton ((nominated together); Cathie Pearl-Wentzell, Brooklyn; Tracy Samuels, Liverpool; Kendra Shot, Hunts Point; Ron Shupe, Liverpool; and Carly Smith, Mill Village and Hannah Whynot, Liverpool (nominated together).
“It would be wonderful to have all of the volunteers nominated receive the provincial award, however we are limited to only two per year. All of our volunteers are valued, and it’s impossible to rate one contribution over another, so to be fair, we draw two names randomly from the nominees. We are grateful to all the volunteers we have in Queens, and thank the residents who nominated the volunteers for the Ripple Effect, making all aware of the effect they make in the community,” said Norman.
Photos and biographies of Ripple Effect nominees, along with a downloadable nomination form are posted on the Region of Queens Municipality’s website https://www.regionofqueens.com/municipal-services/recreation/volunteering.
