Peter Shokeir | [email protected]
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland presented awards to local volunteers in recognition of their service during the April 18 council meeting at Jasper Library and Cultural Centre.
The Mayor鈥檚 Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service is typically handed out during the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner as part of National Volunteer Week.
鈥淭his hasn鈥檛 happened for a couple of years because of COVID, and it wasn鈥檛 scheduled for this year. Nevertheless, nominations have come in,鈥� Ireland said.
鈥淭here is a committee that reviews applications for nominations for awards. That committee received and reviewed these submissions and has indicated that these nominees are deserving of the mayor鈥檚 recognition awards for distinguished voluntary service in our community.鈥�
Sarah Tassoni was the first to receive the award.
She was recognized for close to 30 years of volunteer service with Girl Guides of Canada, where she was able to impart a sense of community and volunteerism to local youth.
Gail and Don Lonsberry received the award for their volunteer work and being part of the community fabric since moving to Jasper in 1967.
Rieko Okazaki, who was not able to attend, earned the award for her volunteer work at the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge and the Jasper-Yellowhead Museum, as well as fundraising for various community organizations.
The awards were then announced for library board members that had all stepped down at various times after years of volunteer service.
Coun. Wendy Hall accepted these awards on behalf of the four library board members鈥擲andy Cox, Angela Lemire, Stephen Eldred and Tiffany Toussaint.
These awards will be distributed during a library gathering at a later date.
Bert Journault, who previously served on council, also received a gift for his service from the mayor.
Council later proclaimed April 16-22, 2023 as National Volunteer Week in Jasper.
This week serves to recognize and thank volunteers around Jasper and Canada each year for the time and energy they contribute to causes that benefit communities.
It is also an opportunity to promote the benefits of volunteering to individuals and society.
This year鈥檚 theme is Volunteering Weaves us Together, which emphasizes how the interconnected actions residents take to support one another are critical to the strength and vibrancy of a community.
