Submitted by: Tera Lynn Copegog, MNO Community Wellness Coordinator
MNO staff presenting volunteer driver Wayne Gilliard with certificate of appreciation and gift. (left to
right) Shirley Dorion, Lorraine Mountney, Wayne Gilliard and Natalie Lloyd.
Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) volunteers dedicate countless hours to the betterment of the Métis Nation. MNO volunteers spend their time with community members and clients in various roles such as driving MNO clients to medical appointments. Through this role MNO driver volunteers develop close relationships with community members.
In order to show MNO’s appreciation for these volunteer drivers in the Midland area the MNO office in Midland hosted a Volunteer Driver Appreciation Dinner and Long Term Goals and Planning Workshop on May 14.
MNO volunteers and staff enjoyed a dinner of spaghetti with meat sauce or chicken and noodle supper, fresh bread and salad. Dessert included butter tarts baked by Shirley O’Hara and Jell-O cheese cake.
Following the dinner, MNO volunteer drivers were presented with a Métis Sash, MNO pin, MNO travel mug and a certificate of appreciation. Each volunteer’s certificate included a special quote. The volunteer drivers include: Wayne Gilliard, Allan Vallee, James Keen, Oliver Brabant, Julie Thauvette, Dave Cousens, Gabe Brunelle and Carolyn Smith.
All of the volunteers were also invited to speak about topics that would come up in a medical transport from time to time.
Other presenters included Tim Dunlop from the Dunlop Team who discussed Wills and Estates and Retirement, illness and injury financial planning. Susan Leclair from Leclair Cremation Centre spoke about end of life planning. Carol Gilbreath from Hospice Huronia talked on grief and bereavement support for individuals and caregivers. Each presenter including MNO Community Support Services Supervisor Natalie Lloyd received homemade candles made of MNO crayons and essential oils in berry and vanilla scents.
Thank you to all MNO volunteers for your continuous effort and dedication to support MNO communities and citizens.
The quotes included on the volunteer appreciation certificates:
“There are two ways of spreading light – to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” – Edith Wharton
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. “ – Mark Twain
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. “ – Elizabeth Andrew
“You may not have saved a lot of money in your life, but if you have saved a lot of heartaches for other folks, you are a pretty rich man.” – Seth Parker
“The World is hugged by faithful arms of volunteers.” – Terri Guillements
“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another.“ – Erma Bombeck
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.” – Oscar Wilde
“Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls.” – David Thomas