Valerie Brown never had a eureka moment when it comes to volunteering, it’s something that just happened naturally as she involved herself in the community of Pugwash and Cumberland County.
Brown, the representative volunteer for the Municipality of Cumberland, was one of several dozen volunteers from all walks of life recognized at the Nova Scotia Volunteer Awards Dinner in Halifax in late September.
“It was fantastic. It was hard to explain it was so nice,” Brown said. “I really enjoyed the entertainment and listening to what so many people have done across Nova Scotia to help others. It’s amazing what people do.”
Brown is well known in Pugwash and along the North Shore of the county as an unwavering supporter of numerous community organizations. She also known for her friendly, helpful attitude and her dedication at making the community a better place.
Valerie Brown of Pugwash is congratulated by Communities Culture and Heritage Minister Dave Ritcey (left) and Lt. Gov. Mike Savage at the provincial volunteer recognition dinner in Halifax in late September. Communications NS
“I like to help and I like to volunteer. I like to see other people doing it, it’s contagious,” she said. “Some people contribute with money and others, like me, contribute with their time. I’ve been doing it all my life. I don’t ever remember a time when I wasn’t a volunteer.
“It was never a decision that I’m going to volunteer, I just saw a need and answered it.”
Retired from her career at the Sunset Community, Brown continues to give her time freely to various groups, whether walking dogs for her neighbours or assisting organizations like the community health board, assisting with hospital wayfinding, or volunteering as a patient visitor.
She has also spent many years working to improve and promote trails in the Pugwash area through Cumberland Trails and has been a trails steward for the Salt Express.
“Valerie Brown is the most consistent, kindest volunteer I know in Pugwash. She walks the Salt Express almost every day with anyone who wants to join her, including her dogs,” Greg Nix of Cumberland Trails said. “She reports on things that needed to be fixed and if there’s something she can do herself she does. She moves branches off the trails and picks up any litter she might find.
“She’s great in the community,” Nix added. “Whenever a volunteer is needed she’s one of the first to volunteer. If she is free, she’s there.”
She’s also active with the Peace Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Pugwash, the annual summer celebrations HarbourFest and the Gathering of the Clans as well as supporting Pugwash Communities in Bloom and Neighbourhood Watch while finding time to visit residents at Sunset.
Recently, she’s been active with a cause very close to her heart, serving as vice-president of the auxiliary of the Pugwash Fire Department.
“The fire hall is very dear to me. My father was a fireman and I always worshipped him. When they asked for an auxiliary to be formed in Pugwash, I was one of the first people to say yes,” she said.
Maintaining the trail system is also important to her. She remembers as a child visiting her grandparents near the Pumping Station outside Amherst. She often went on walks with her grandmother and come to love being outdoors.
“I was six or seven years old at the time, and I grew to love it. It’s something I’ve done all my life,” Brown said.
The Leard Family is the municipality’s Representative Family Volunteer of the Year. The family – Wes, Stacy, Courtney and Connor – has been a cornerstone of community spirit and service since 2017 with Wes and Stacy’s contributions extended even longer. They are deeply involved with the Wallace Fire Department and balance full-time jobs and their commitment to volunteerism.
Also being honoured at the provincial dinner was the Leard family of Wallace. They were recognized as the provincial Family Volunteer Award winner.
The family – Wes, Stacy, Courtney and Connor – has been a cornerstone of community spirit and service since 2017 with Wes and Stacy’s contributions extend even longer.
They are deeply involved with the Wallace Fire Department and balance full-time jobs and their commitment to volunteerism.
Wes, Connor and Courtney serve as volunteer firefighters while Stacy contributes to the ladies auxiliary. Courtney also serves in the auxiliary following emergency calls.
The fire department is central in the family’s life.
“No matter what time of day or night, when the call comes out, and pagers and phones are buzzing, our house gets busy in a hurry,” Stacy said. “Three department members, my husband and 2 grown children hustle to a vehicle, load up and they’re off. I stay close by to gather my auxiliary ladies to be ready to prepare some nourishment upon their return.
“The conversation at our supper table about these calls, chatter about training and courses, and all issues department related has added such a new dynamic to our conversations. Our involvement in both organizations has created yet another bond that we share.”
She said they’re incredibly fortunate to live in Wallace.
“Most everyone is familiar to us, so when an alarm is sounded for a local location, chances are great that they’re going to know who it is that needs assistance. During that time, when people are rushing into your house, you’re frightened, and there’s an incredible amount of chaos and uncertainty,” she said. “I believe that seeing a familiar face or two would improve the situation immensely. We volunteer with many fantastic volunteers - people we may not have met otherwise. New friends that have become family. We’ve learned things that we may not have learned otherwise. We volunteer as a family and have received so many rewards in return.”
Each year, the Municipality of Cumberland accepts nominations from the community for its volunteer recognition program that includes an awards dinner at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre.
Watch for nominations early in 2026 at https://www.cumberlandcounty.ns.ca/volunteer-recognition.html