Local volunteers saluted at annual dinner

The Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau recognized the work of 13 local volunteers with certificates of appreciation at its sixth-annual dinner last week, which was attended by about 100 people at the Legion.
Here is a synopsis of what each contributed this past year, mainly off the strength of the annual Terry Fox Run and the community Christmas dinner, both of which are organized by the volunteer bureau.
•Diane Maxey was an active volunteer and committee member of last year’s Terry Fox Run and currently is the volunteer co-ordinator for the upcoming WHO conference here.
•Tricia Allan was an active member of the Terry Fox Run committee for the last two years.
•Paulette Devos was an essential to the organizing of the financial part of the Terry Fox Run the last two years.
•Marj Hull Katerick, the top solo fundraiser at the Terry Fox Run, has amassed more than $6,500 over five years. In the process, she helped the fundraising figure by 36 percent from last year.
•Joyce Gosselin managed to lend her time to several events this past year. She helped sell T-shirts and was two times second only to Katerick in fundraising at the Terry Fox Run.
In addition, Gosselin has given her time to the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle, the community Christmas dinner, and the volunteer bureau’s Bingo nights.
•Ed Katona has made two bicycle trips—one to Rainy River and one to Winnipeg—over the last two years to raise money for the local Terry Fox Run. His efforts drew attention from several media outlets, including the Fort Frances Times.
•Lawrence Carter weekly work to tend bar at Rainycrest on Monday adds up. He’s hasn’t missed a Monday in more than a year.
•Sue Drew helped head up the income tax program, helping take recipients’ income tax forms home and pick up and deliver those recipients who have difficulty with transportation.
This year, the program has done more than 400 tax forms.
•Goldie Goldamer has been the main cog in the running of the Meals on Wheels and community Christmas dinner here for the past five years.
She’s helped served up an average of 60 meals for shut-ins each year and helped the kitchen staff prepare 200 meals for the December tradition.
•Gert and Dino D’Agostini have provided plenty of “punch” for the volunteer bureau over the past 14 community Christmas dinners.
Their special fruit punch has been a longtime favourite, and are a excellent example of the role retired people can have when it comes to volunteering in the community.
•Darcy Maguire has been in charge of the kitchen for the community Christmas dinner, always making sure it has been running smoothly.
•Jean Boileau, along with Maxey, has been the main source of entertainment for the volunteer bureau. A lover of the theatre, Boileau has directed the “Sunset Seniors” the last three years at the annual appreciation dinner.