Fort Frances resident John McTaggart was honoured with a special provincial award for exceptional volunteerism during a ceremony at the Legion Hall in Atikokan last night.
He was presented with the Outstanding Achievement Award (OAA) for leading a major fundraising campaign for two district health care facilities (“Care Close to Home”).
“I love the volunteer work that I do,” McTaggart confessed prior to receiving his award. “But it is very uncomfortable for me to be recognized like this.
“I certainly did not accomplish these things on my own,” he stressed. “On each committee, I was always working alongside a bunch of very dedicated people.
“This ‘dream team’ of people are really the ones who got things done and have been instrumental in my being recognized,” he said.
McTaggart and his “dream team” of community volunteers made a very difficult task look easy by raising $3.8 million for major renovation projects at the Emo Health Centre and La Verendrye Hospital, topping their goal by $300,000.
McTaggart’s “contagious [positiveness],” and his ability to motivate 70 volunteers, were instrumental to the campaign’s amazing success.
“When I got the phone call that I had won this award, I said, ‘Oh my . . .” he admitted. “I really don’t like being given awards because I didn’t get involved in these campaigns or committees for the recognition.
“Far greater than any award I could receive has been the opportunity I have had to work with some truly wonderful people.”
The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards are an annual opportunity for the government to honour and pay tribute to the men and women throughout the province who have dedicated their lives to volunteer service.
“I really started volunteering when I was young,” McTaggart said. “When I was in high school in Atikokan, I worked on the ski hill and helped to get a T-bar put in.
“Since then, I have been involved with the Fort Frances town committees, waterfront development, bass tournament, church board, Crime Stoppers, and fire department.
“I really enjoy doing volunteer work,” he added. “This community and the district has been very good to me. Even though Fort Frances is not my home town, I love it, so I think it is important to put a little effort back into it.”
Also receiving an Outstanding Achievement Awards for Volunteerism in Ontario last night was Bill Beyer of Atikokan, a passionate champion of conservation and founder of the Little Falls Walleye Hatchery.
“Really, it all comes down to teamwork,” noted McTaggart. “It is hard to accomplish things on your own so I really accept this award for all those people that I had the chance to work with.”
“When I look back at the work I have been fortunate enough to be a part of,” McTaggart continued. “I am left with a lot of really good memories.
“There were hard times and some struggles but I was very lucky to have a great team of people helping me, and I am very proud of the work we have done.”
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
