Janette has been a committed Volunteer at the Parksville-Qualicum Beach SPCA for many years.  She walks dogs, works at many fund raising events, sells raffle tickets and helps in the Memorial Garden.  Janette's husband Gerald and her dog, Babe also assist with special projects.  currently Janette is updating our local adoption boards and will be acting as coordinator for our 2010 calendar.  Thank you Janette.

Joanne Scott, our equipment manager,  is one of the founding members of ETRA.  We can use many words to describe Joanne; dedicated, diplomatic, resourceful and reliable.  The truth is there are very few people in our world of volunteerism who remain as loyal to a group as Joanne, 20 years of giving her time freely to help the physically, mentally and emotionally challenged people in our community.  ETRA honors and appreciate Joanne and we hope she is with us another 20 years.

Jim has assisted us for the past 2 1/2 years with our walk and roll program.  As one of our only male volunteers, he has a special bond with our male residents.  Jim brings a calm and caring charm and a big smile every week.  Thank you so much Jim.

Jean came to us when her husband was ill and lived here until his passing.  Jean continued to assist us with our walk and roll program and special events.  Jean has such a gentle and kind way with our residents, we appreciate you, Jean.

Sylvia is an excellent artist and has developed an art therapy program on Tuesdays with some of our residents.  This gives our residents a sense of pride and well being.  She also has assisted on countless walks over the past 2 years with our walk and roll program and helps at special events.

Blaine has been volunteering with the Oceanside RCMP Victim Services for over 3 years.  He supports program staff and fellow volunteers through his flexibility and compassionate nature.  Blaine is always willing to do whatever work is necessary to assist the program.

Michael is a retired architectural designer.  He has volunteered his considerable expertise to BLT since 2000.  He designs blueprints to transform the interior of the Words on Wheels Bus from a regular school bus into a mobile early learning centre.  When we created Munchkinland Discovery Centre, Michael created blueprints for the miniature buildings we use to introduce the concept of a community to young children.  Now we are building Munchkinland Adventure Centre in Qualicum - once again Michael has designed the interior, he has also constructed blueprints for the outdoor learning through play area "Safety Village".  We could not have created the educational and fun children's environments without the vision and the expertise of Michael Gemgembre!

Linda is a regular and reliable volunteer who grooms and socializes the cats.  She has volunteered with us for several years.  She is always smiling and helpful and has a very pleasant disposition.

Gary has contributed an enormous amount of volunteer time to different groups and to the Parksville Visitor Centre.  Even in the midst of busy days in the summer he maintains a smile and positive outlook, giving assistance where ever it is needed and often doing more without being asked.  Always at the foreground is his devotion to his volunteering duties and making sure that everyone leaves the Visitor Centre with as much information as possible so the they will want to stay longer in the community.  He has strength in his ability to visualize and to think  outside the box and comes up with different ideas that will benefit our community and whichever group he is assisting.

Larry Lewis has volunteered with BLT for two years.  He started out as a keen Words on Wheels Bus Driver and enjoys donating his time to drive the Bus all around the community, and interacting with the children and parents who come on board.  This year, with the Bus temporarily out of service, Larry has donated his time to fixing whatever needs attention at Munchkinland Discovery Centre.  He has hung shelves, glued and otherwise mended toys, and performed any number of very helpful tasks.

For almost a decade Dorothy has been giving of herself and her skills as a docent at NIWRC.  Being a retired teacher, Dorothy still loves children and it shows.  Dorothy developed the wildlife educational program at NIWRA which now teaches thousands of children and adults about wildlife and environmental issues.

Recently the Centre participated in a BC150 event.  Ross used his background in zoology to search out information on “How things have changed for wildlife” over 150 years.  We could not have had such a great display without Ross’s help.  Ross also dedicates many hours to the Centre with our educational program.  He is an animal handler and through this has educated hundreds of people about wildlife issues.

Mark has been volunteering at NIWRC for 9 years and is a joy to have around.  He comes 3 or 4 times a week and will do absolutely anything that needs to be done, including working with the animals, helping with bird rescues, maintaining enclosures and yard maintenance.  Mark was our choice for Wildlife Hero of the Year 2008 and received this well deserved honor at the AGM and Volunteer Appreciation.  The above photo shows Mark receiving the award from Robin Campbell, founder of NIWRC.

Wendy is our Wednesday morning gift shop volunteer. She has been with us for almost two years and is always cheerful - a wonderful ambassador for NIWRC.  In addition to the gift shop, Wendy is on our Board of Directors and has been the person responsible for our annual Dinner and Auction.  Wendy says "I love volunteering at NIWRA where I learn something new every time I go there!

Andrea is a delightful person who loves to work in the Baby Room. Andrea always has a smile for everyone.  She has been volunteering faithfully for the SOS since September 2007.  Thank you Andrea, for your invaluable time you give to the SOS and the babies thank you too!

Bardo is our hardest working volunteer.  He has met almost every school child in Oceanside and taught them about the environment and what we can do to protect our wildlife.  As well as schools, he gives presentations to tourists and encourages them to care for the Island.  He brings a smile to everyone who meets him!

Marie has been volunteering in the Time Out for Tots and Moms program since September 2002. Taking a very short time out to have her two children, Marie volunteers in both the Tuesday and Wednesday morning toddler room.  Marie is always cheerful, energetic and reliable.  She gives 100% to the children in her care and maintains an excellent rapport with staff and parents.  Thank you so much for your dedication Marie, you are wonderful!

Shirley is amazing and probably one of the hardest working people we know. She provides footcare regularly for our diabetic and decreased mobility clients, sits on our Board and frequently donates food.  All this after she has worked a full day with special needs kids. She has a wonderful sense of humour and we cannot appreciate her enough for all she does.  Thanks so much Shirley!

Amanda is the perfect example of youth volunteerism at work! Not only is Amanda a great student, she is also an amazing volunteer. At the SOS, Amanda volunteers in a variety of programs and can always be counted on to help at special events throughout the year.  We look forward to being part of Amanda’s life for many years to come.  You Rock Amanda!.

Qualicum Manor is a better place because of  Sylvia. Her ability to adapt to residents’ individual needs has been a real asset. Two mornings a week Sylvia assists the Recreation Coordinator facilitate the bowling Walk and Roll programs. When she is not bowling and rolling, she is assisting at special events and visiting with residents. Sylvia’s friendly disposition and caring attitude has brought many smiles to faces throughout Qualicum Manor.

Eileen and Norm have been active volunteers with the Meals on Wheels program for many years, delivering meals and assisting in the kitchen.  Their dedication, commitment and compassion are a valued asset to both the program and SOS.  Hats off to you Eileen and Norm, we are so grateful you are a part of our organization.

Dist.69 Society of Organized Services  nominates Beverley Hodgson as Featured Volunteer.  Bev has dynamic administrative skills.  She’s friendly and courteous to clients and staff alike, quick to learn and takes on any task, large or small.  Bev is a very valuable member of the SOS office team.  Thank you Bev!

Dist.69 Society of Organized Services  nominates Beverley Cattley as Featured Volunteer. Beverley has been an active volunteer with the SOS since May 2004.  She dedicates her time to many SOS programs several times a week.  Her commitment has been extraordinary and we appreciate all she has to offer us.  Thank you to our wonderful “baby cuddler” and then some….You wear all your hats well!

Nanaimo Lifeline  nominates Bob and Merry Rae as Featured Volunteers. Bob and Merry have volunteered with Nanaimo Lifeline since 1999. Bob installs, maintains and tests Lifeline equipment in the client’s home while Merry visits with the client and does the paperwork.  They also help out with several Lifeline functions.  Their caring and sincere attitude is a great benefit to our clients and staff.

Qualicum Manor Nominates Della Balzer and Audrey Rutledge as Featured Volunteers.  Without being recruited, Della and Audrey were the first volunteers to offer their services to the residents and staff of Qualicum Manor as it opened its doors in the spring of 1995.  They have brought pleasure to the lives of many residents in various ways; friendly visits, playing cards, going for walks, outings, doing crafts, and so much more. They have been able to reach people in ways that others will never be able to.

Forward House nominates Tanya Holts as Featured Volunteer. Tanya is unerringly reliable and very creative. She cares very much about people and shows deep respect and understanding for all living things. Everyone looks forward to Tanya being present.  She is a valued part of Forward House.

Oceanside

Special Olympics B.C. Oceanside  nominates Allan Stevenson as Featured Volunteer. Allan first joined Special Olympics as a volunteer helping in as many areas as he could, Gradually he moved to track & field where his expertise lies. Allan has represented Special Olympics Oceanside at Provincial Summer & Winter Games and as a member of the Provincial coaching team. With his busy commitment to Special Olympics, Allan still finds time to volunteer with other community groups.

The Canadian Cancer Society nominates Sheila Dale as featured volunteer in appreciation for her dedication, efficiency and effective leadership. Sheila has held the position of President of the Parksville/Qualicum Unit and for 7 years was responsible for the Canadian Cancer Society’s April Campaign in Parksville and Qualicum Beach.  This position involved administrative and financial duties as well as  organizing and coordinating the efforts of 200 volunteer canvassers.  Sheila also leads the committee responsible for organizing the Fund Raising “Annual Trail Ride”.

Since January 1995, Les has volunteered all day every Wednesday for the ETRA program.