Coinciding with National Volunteer Week, the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau held its annual dinner last Wednesday night at the Legion to honour 11 district residents who use some of their spare time to lend others a helping hand.
Among those who received a certificate of appreciation for a second year in a row was Nancy Swiston, who wasn’t expecting the honour.
“Well, to put it to you this way, I was shocked,” she remarked.
“I wasn’t expecting anything. I enjoy what I’m doing, and, hopefully, I can get better at any area I’ve been working in and help out in whatever area Joan [Pearson] needs me,” she added.
“Nancy actually calls the bureau from time to time, when we’re not calling her, to see what she can do to help us,” noted Pearson, executive director at the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau.
Swiston has helped out with everything from the annual community Christmas dinner to the Terry Fox Run.
The spirit of volunteerism also was clear with two-time recipient Doris Bradley. “I enjoy what I’ve been doing–I enjoy helping others,” she stressed.
Bradley has been part of the “Friendly Visitor” program for the past three years. She also has been participating in barbecues and ticket-selling for various charities who’ve contacted the bureau, and has even done pet-sitting.
A recipient new to the bureau this year was Fort High student Heather Wong, who helped out as a “Friendly Visitor” and student tutor.
“It’s wonderful. It’s an honour to be considered for my helping out. It’s really just giving back to the community,” she said.
She added it was encouraging see another teen honoured, too, referring to Sarah Langtry, who has been a “Friendly Visitor” at Front Street Manor here for the past year.
Other recipients saluted last Wednesday were Lorraine Cupp, Harry Kitzul, Anna McNay, Lawrence McLeod, Ken Linton, Vera Croswell, and Anne Marie Leschinski.
Bureau president Walter Horban also received a small token of appreciation for his help there–a T-shirt with the organization’s logo on it.
“It went beautifully–what else can I say other than that?” Pearson enthused.
“The attendance was good, and the entertainment package was great,” she added, referring to a choir directed by Diane Maxey and a short performance by the cast of “Murder at Rutherford House,” which is being staged this week by Fort Frances Little Theatre.
“It all went very, very well, with lots of volunteers helping to put it on. We have great people here,” Pearson remarked. “I have to say it, ‘I love Fort Frances.’”