The deadline for clubs, organizations, and associations to nominate their members for the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards is this coming Monday (Jan. 15).
And Emo Chamber of Commerce president Colleen Vennechenko has hopes many of her community’s volunteers will be nominated and recognized for all their hard work and dedication.
“We have a lot of volunteers here,” she stressed. “I think anyone who has volunteered with the town, hockey, church, or whatever should be nominated.”
Vennechenko, as well as Emo council, passed out nomination forms to many of the organizations and clubs there, but she said she hasn’t heard whether any groups have filled out the forms since they are sent directly to the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.
“I really hope people will do this,” she remarked. “I think they will, but whether or not it’s enough to hold the banquet here is another thing.”
Vennechenko noted the community which nominates the most volunteers in the region hosts the awards ceremony, where deserving candidates are presented with stylized trillium pins and personalized certificates.
About 75 volunteers were nominated in Northwestern Ontario last year and Vennechenko believes Emo easily could nominate that many volunteers itself.
Any volunteer who has contributed consecutive years of service to a single group within Ontario—and has not received payment—is eligible for nomination.
Groups that have been in existence for a minimum of five years may nominate up to seven volunteers each, and also are encouraged to nominate at least one youth volunteer.
“I’m going to have to remind some people to make sure they send the forms in,” Vennechenko said, adding some of the groups she’s involved with were planning to nominate their volunteers this week.
“I just think Emo can do this,” she stressed. “I see a lot of people who deserve this—seniors who’ve never been given that pat on the back.”
Community organizations, not-for-profit associations, boards, businesses, municipalities, and hospitals are encouraged to nominate their volunteers.
Anyone interested in the awards program can contact Vennechenko at the Corner Closet in Emo.
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The “Biggest Loser” challenge is starting up for another season this Monday (Jan. 15), with weigh-ins being held from 6:30-7 p.m. only. A fee (still to be determined) will be charged to participate.
The group also will hold an exercise class upstairs at the Emo-La Vallee Community Centre each Monday and Thursday from 7-8 p.m.
“Most people just want the exercise now,” organizer Colleen Vennechenko noted. “The weigh-in thing isn’t as important as the exercise part, so were focusing on the exercise this time more than anything.”
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The Emo Chamber of Commerce will hold its first meeting of 2007 also on Monday (Jan. 15) beginning at 7 p.m. at the Emo Inn.
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The Fort Frances Times is looking for an Emo resident interested in writing an Emo news column and taking occasional photos for the Wednesday paper.
If you’re interested, contact editor Mike Behan at 274-5373.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
