Each year, municipalities nominate people they feel are deserving of the province award and they are honoured during the Provincial Volunteer Award Ceremony. Lt.-Gov. J.J. Grant, Premier Stephen McNeil and Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Tony Ince attended the Halifax ceremony to celebrate their contributions.
GEORGIE DEWEY
Town of Trenton
Georgie began her volunteering as a young girl, over 70 years ago. She is a humble, silent doer, always there to lend a helping hand for an organization, church group, or someone in her neighbourhood. She is known by her neighbours as an “Angel in Disguise.”
She has been a dedicated member of the First United Church her entire life holding a variety of positions over the years. She was an Explorer leader, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, board secretary, church newsletter editor, and now at 82 sits on the structural review committee. She has also been an active volunteer with the Pictou Presbyterial, and was the secretary for the Maritime Conference United Church Women for seven years. Most impressively she has been the treasurer for United Church Women for 50 years.
ALISON ARSENAULT
Town of Pictou
Alison has been an excellent volunteer for the Town of Pictou for many years. She made and donated pillowcases for the pediatric units at Aberdeen and IWK hospitals, and has fundraised for Christmas Daddies and the IWK. She has also fundraised and worked with New Horizons Senior Club as their director, and rental chair for the last four years. Alison helps with the newsletter and potluck lunches, and organizes the crib and card games. She has volunteered with the Help Line in the past and is currently volunteering as a church ambassador, on the church worship committee, and as a school lunch committee member. For 36 years she was an international judge for Amateur Boxing and held various roles with Boxing Nova Scotia. She is a member of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Wall of Fame and has won recognition awards, including Golden Boxer Award for dedicated and spirited support of amateur boxing in Nova Scotia.
KIM LIVINGSTON
Town of New Glasgow
For over 20 years Kim has been a volunteer and proud supporter of her community, and has touched the lives of many. She has contributed her time, expertise, and support towards many groups and organizations such as Race on the River (Pictou County Dragon Boat Festival), Special Olympics, Highland County Residential Services Foundation, VON of Pictou County, Pictou County Kennel Club, The Shepherd’s Lunch Room, Girl Guides, the West Side Community Centre, and the Johnny Miles Race. In 2015, Kim received the Florence Guthro Memorial Award for Special Olympics Pictou County Volunteer of the Year.
ANGELA HACKETT
Town of Stellarton
Angela volunteered as a La Leche League leader from 2009-2013 helping nursing mothers with support for breast feeding. Angela then helped start the first Roller Derby Association in Pictou County and worked as their first club president from 2012-2015. Now Angela dedicates a great deal of personal time toward her daughter’s elementary school co-ordinating the breakfast program, assisting in the fluoride program, and volunteering when needed as a chaperone on class trips.
ALLAN BEST
Town of Westville
The Town of Westville is extremely lucky to have a leader like Allan involved with sport in the community. Allan has been involved in almost every aspect of Westville Minor Baseball. He came to the sport as a parent looking to get involved and has been active in coaching, fundraising, field maintenance, and community engagement. The sport would not be what it is today in the Town of Westville without the work that Allan has done and continues to do. Allan’s love for learning and his competitive spirit are not restricted to the sport of baseball. For 23 years Allan has also been heavily involved in hockey in town and over the years has volunteered for curling and music events as well.
JOE MACDONALD
Municipality of Pictou County
Joe has been a committed volunteer to his community for 30 years. During that time, he has served as firefighter and chief with Barneys River Fire Department, and has been especially involved in fire prevention. In addition, he was a member of the Maritime Fire Chiefs Association for 22 years, member of the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia for nine years, vice president of the Pictou County Fire Fighters Association for two years, and member of the Liaison Committee to Pictou County Council for Rural Fire Departments since 2016. Joe also has served as president and past president for the Kenzieville Community Centre since 2001, as volunteer and chair of the Kenzieville Cemetery for the last seven years, and was the founding member of Twin Highway 104 Committee back in 2014.