An opportunity to say thank you
City hosts inaugural event recognizing work of Yellowknife's volunteers
Candace Thomson
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, April 9, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Volunteers are the backbone of the community, especially in Yellowknife, where the volunteer presence is such a great part of events and organizations.
Madelon Haener, left, receives a gift from Wendy Karstad, president of the Canadian Parents for French NWT chapter. Haener was recognized by the CPF chapter as an outstanding volunteer in 2013, and given the gift at a volunteer recognition event hosted by the City of Yellowknife at the Multiplex on Sunday. - Candace Thomson/NNSL photo |
More than 25 individuals and four families were honoured by local organizations at the city's first ever volunteer recognition event, held at the DND gym in the Multiplex Sunday afternoon. The theme of the event was 'Seeds of Yellowknife,' and there was a gift of a potted plant for all who attended.
One of the first volunteers to be recognized was Madelon Haener, president of the Yellowknife Education District No. 1's Canadian Parents for French (CPF) chapter. She was welcomed onto the stage and given a gift by Wendy Karstad, president of the CPF NWT Chapter.
"To give you an idea of the extent of (Haener's) contributions this year alone, she's organized and held over 17 events, engaging over 1,000 participants," said Karstad. "She had a lot of people standing with her on that, and behind her, but she's spearheaded a lot of it."
Karstad said Haener tirelessly advocates about the benefits of French second-language learning and the benefits to students and their families.
Also among the recognized were Tom and Ann Hall for their contributions to the Yellowknife Community Foundation (YCF).
"As a team, and individually, Tom and Ann Hall have been contributing their time and talents to the foundation for a long time, and more than deserve this recognition," said Bronwyn Watters, YCF's vice-president.
Watters highlighted the efforts of the couple, with Tom acting as director on the board from 2001 to 2010 and president from 2002 to 2007. Ann, Waters said, has been a committee member at all five of the foundation's gala fundraisers where she was in charge of decorations.
"With her incredible talent, she has converted a banquet room to a stunning ballroom on a strict budget with no detail left to chance," a press release from the foundation stated. "Ann's commitment to excellence has ensured that the ... gala is Yellowknife's premiere formal event of the year."
Mayor Mark Heyck was in attendance at the event and gave an opening address before the awards were handed out.
"On behalf of the community I want to say a very deep thank you to all of you for being so giving of your time to your community," said Heyck.
Heyck also plugged the city's bid for the 2023 Canada Winter Games, saying they would need 5,000 volunteers in order to host the event.
"I just want to plant that seed now," he said.
