District volunteers saluted at ceremony

Several volunteers from the Devlin, Emo, and Barwick areas were honoured with Volunteer Service Awards last Thursday evening in Kenora for their contributions to their communities.
Of the 60 recipients at the ceremony, more than half hailed from Rainy River District. But only 11 travelled the two hours to accept their award.
“There were more people nominated than I thought. I’m really pleased,” said Emo Chamber of Commerce president Colleen Vennechenko, who had encouraged local groups to submit nominations this year.
Although the Volunteer Service Awards—hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration—are now in their 21st year, Emo only learned of the recognition program in recent years.
“I see a lot of people who deserve this—seniors who’ve never been given that pat on the back,” Vennechenko had said back in January.
Vennechenko, who was unknowingly nominated for the award, was thrilled with the recognition for herself and the other local volunteers.
“I never expected to be nominated—that’s not what I was trying to do this for,” she stressed. “I just wanted Emo to be on the map.
“A lot of people do so much volunteering and never get any recognition.”
Any volunteer who had contributed consecutive years of service to a single group within Ontario, and did not received payment, was eligible for nomination.
Groups that have been in existence for a minimum of five years may nominate up to seven volunteers, and were encouraged to nominate at least one youth volunteer.
Several organizations, such as the Township of Emo, the Emo Walleye Classic, and Legion Br. #99 in Emo, took the time to fill out the nomination form before the January deadline.
The recipients received stylized trillium pins and personalized certificates at ceremonies across the province.
Vennechenko initially had been told the community that nominated the most volunteers would host the banquet. But even though there were 37 volunteers from the west end of Rainy River District, the ceremony still was held in Kenora.
“I spoke to the minister and he said next year if we contact him early, they’ll have it in Emo or Fort Frances,” Vennechenko indicated. “So I’m going to stay on it for next year.”
Although she added the ceremony in Kenora was nice, having it closer to home would have allowed more of the local volunteers to attend.
Vennechenko feels there still are many more volunteers in the district who could be recognized and hopes more organizations nominate these individuals for next year’s awards.
Nominations are accepted between November and January each year. For more information, visit www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/honours/vsa/
The following district individuals were nominated:
•Royal Canadian Legion, General Lipsett (Br. #99)—Evelyn Jane Allan (10 years), Gerald Russell Allan (10 years), Adelia Guba (20 years), Herb Johnson (10 years), Miles Kinnear (five years), and Lois Shine (five years);
•Emo Walleye Classic—Bill Baranowski (five years), Ted Corrigan (five years), Donna Haglin (five years), Dennis Ogilvie (youth), Carolee Strachan (five years), Toby Vennechenko (five years), and Willard Wilson (five years);
•Emo-Devlin-Barwick Minor Hockey Association—Joe Bodnar (five years), Mary Ellen Brigham (five years), Deb Carlson (five years), Brian Curtis (five years), Doug McTavish (10 years), and Dave Saunders (five years);
•Tops Chapter ON 3019 (Devlin)—Freeda Carmody (15 years);
•Emo Cemetery, Parks and Recreation Board—Brian Curtis (five years), Theo DeGroot (10 years), Len Jordens (15 years), Grant Meyers (10 years), and George Wegman (20 years);
•Emo Chamber of Commerce—Cheryl Curtis (five years), Dave Goodman (10 years), Dale Hartlin (five years), Tom Jackson (10 years), Arnold Kaemingh (10 years), and Marlene McQuaker (10 years);
•Township of Emo—Lincoln Dunn (five years), Neil Grant (five years), Marlene McQuaker (five years), Joyce Meyers (five years), Colleen Vennechenko (five years), and Wilma Wielinga (20 years); and
•4-H Association (Rainy River District)—Shirley Morrish (25 years) and Debbie Zimmerman (25 years).