Thirty people were recognized by the Municipality of Cumberland during the organization’s annual celebrating of volunteerism as part of 2024 Volunteer Week celebrations at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre in Springhill on Tuesday, April 16.
The theme of National Volunteer Week 2024 is Every Moment Matters. It highlights the importance of every volunteer and each contribution they make at a moment when we need support more than ever. The sharing of time, skills, empathy and creativity is vital to the inclusivity, strength and wellbeing of our communities.
“There are so many people who volunteer their time across the municipality every day. They are the backbone of the municipality and what makes the municipality a great place to live,” Mayor Murray Scott said, adding he believes Cumberland County has among the highest levels of volunteerism in Atlantic Canada on a per capita basis. “We are so fortunate to have young volunteers and as well as older volunteers and everywhere in between. They mean so much to our communities.”
The Municipality of Cumberland honoured more than 30 volunteers during its annual National Volunteer Week dinner in Springhill on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Mayor Murray Scott is shown with the municipality’s representative volunteer Kyla Cardinal and representative youth volunteer Alex Poplar. Darrell Cole – Municipality of Cumberland
Kyla Cardinal, nominated by the Springhill Fire Department, was selected as the municipality’s representative volunteer while Alex Poplar, a dedicated volunteer with the River Hebert Community Centre, was named the youth volunteer.
Over the last two years, Cardinal has been an incredible force in her community, organizing food drives, raising money and food donations to support those in need.
Her dedication expands beyond food drives. For five years, she has been an active member of the Springhill Fire Department, contributing to the safety and wellbeing of her neighbours.
Sparky’s Food Drive, a project she initiated, has achieved remarkable success by raising more than $32,000 in cash and food donations for local organizations. She continues to lead this initiative with the assistance of the entire department ensuring the local food bank and school programs receive the vital resources they need.
Poplar has been diligently writing and submitting grant applications for the River Hebert Community Centre. His recent success in securing an $18,000 food pantry grant will directly benefit all residents who rely on the food pantry.
Beyond financial achievements, his impact extends to the sports community. His ability to inspire both badminton and soccer participants to strive for excellence while enjoying themselves has led to improved skills and elevated league standings.
Along with his work in researching, writing and applying for grants, he is also manager of the River Hebert District School junior soccer team, organizes school badminton tournaments for youth and is goalkeeper on the high school soccer team.
He contributes to the school food pantry and its breakfast program and the community centre front desk. Additionally, he serves as secretary for the River Hebert-Joggins and Area Development Association.
More than 30 people were honoured during the Municipality of Cumberland’s National Volunteer Week dinner in Springhill on Tuesday, April 16, 2024. Darrell Cole – Municipality of Cumberland
This year’s nominees included:
Alain Couture, nominated by the Parrsboro Radio Society.
Anthony and Debbie Boudreau, nominated by the Minudie Heritage Association.
April LeBlanc, nomination from the community at large.
Barbara Palmer, nominated by the Wentworth Learning Centre Cooperative.
Bea Harkness, nominated by the Tidnish Crossroads Community Association.
Beverly and Eric Hunter, nomination from the community at large.
Bill Martin, nomination from the community at large.
Bonnie Boyce MacDonald, nominated by the Springhill and Area Lions Club.
Clifford Hazel, nominated by the South Cumberland Adult Day Unit.
Chris St. Peter, nomination from the community at large.
Christine Hodge, nominated by the Cumberland Y Service Club.
Donna Weatherbee, nominated by the Wentworth Recreation Centre.
Faye Spence, nominated by the IODE Cobequid Chapter.
Harry Dow, nomination from the community at large.
Helen Thompson, nominated by the Springhill Senior Club.
John-Adam Smith, nominated by the First Fenwick Group, Scouts Canada.
Karen Dickinson, nominated by the Cumberland Geological Society and the Nova Scotia Gem and Mineral Show.
Marchel Strong, nominated by the Advocate Fire Department.
Patricia Burke, nominated by the Parrsboro Band Association.
Rick VanSnick nominated by the Amherst Rotary Club.
Russell Fisher, nominated by the Springhill Heritage Group.
Sandra Mayne, nominated by the Wentworth Recreation Centre.
Thomas Trenholm, nominated by the Greville Bay Shipbuilding Museum Society.
Timothy Boyd, nominated by the Wallace Area Development Association.
Dawn Aubry, nominated by A Hand Up Society.
Linda Reid, nominated by the Cumberland Museum Society.
Jill Meyers, nomination from the community at large.