Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week

PARDS nominates Heather Knutson for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! They wrote ‘Heather Knutson learned first hand about PARDS programs and while here asked about volunteering. She is very active, taking classes and finding other interests along her way. She said, “Let me check my schedule”, and the rest is history as the saying goes. Heather attended the volunteer orientation for lesson supports and has jumped right in volunteering weekly in lessons as a leader. She has offered support when other volunteers are unavailable, and just recently helped at the AG show at Evergreen Park at the PARDS Petting Zoo. Heather has said, she is open to other opportunities such as events or helping with ticket sales. We are grateful for her support and enjoy seeing her here with us’

Shauna Grypiuk with Roots of Empathy – Grande Prairie Family Education Society nominates Sarah Chamberlain for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! Shauna wrote ‘I am writing to nominate Sarah for recognition in her outstanding contribution as a volunteer within the Roots of Empathy program.’

‘Sarah and her daughter Isla have been partnered with a Grade 1 classroom in Grande Prairie and have proven to be an integral part of our Roots of Empathy community, dedicating her time, energy, and passion to support the growth and development of children in our program. Her commitment to fostering empathy and emotional intelligence in young minds has made a significant impact on the children in her classroom. She has been a vital source of support for me, in helping to teach the children about child development, including topics such as milestones, sleep habits and safety. ‘

‘Throughout Sarah’s involvement in the program, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional empathy, patience, and understanding in her interactions with the children. She has facilitated meaningful discussions, encouraged thoughtful reflections, and provided invaluable support to ensure the success of each session.’

‘It is with great pleasure that I nominate Sarah Chamberlain for recognition of her outstanding contributions as a volunteer with the Roots of Empathy program. Her dedication, kindness, and unwavering commitment to nurturing empathy in young minds make them truly deserving of this honor. Thank you.’

Debbie Harris with Beaverlodge Barracudas nominates Melissa Hansen for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! Debbie wrote ‘Melissa serves as the Treasurer for the Beaverlodge Barracudas Swim Club, where she dedicates extensive hours to meticulously reconciling registration fees, managing club expenses, and overseeing coach payments. Additionally, during our home swim meets, Melissa actively engages with community business owners to secure financial sponsorships or prizes for our swimmers. Melissa’s proactive approach to securing sponsorships for the club’s events highlights her exceptional networking abilities and persuasive communication skills. Through her efforts, she not only secures vital financial support but also fosters valuable relationships within the community, strengthening the club’s standing and influence.’

‘Her unwavering presence is notable at every swim meet, where she assists swimmers with their swim caps and goggles and ensures they get to their events on time. Melissa embodies the role of a supportive guardian. She is like the team “mom” helping to make sure the swimmers are fed and cared for throughout the meet. Melissa plays an instrumental role in fostering a positive and inclusive team environment.’

‘Furthermore, Melissa’s reliability and willingness to assist with any task demonstrates her selflessness and commitment to the club and sport of swimming. Whether it’s organizing team events or offering a helping hand wherever needed, Melissa consistently demonstrates her dedication to the club’s success and the well-being of its members.’

‘Overall, Melissa’s invaluable contributions to the Beaverlodge Barracudas Swim Club extend far beyond her official role as Treasurer. Her unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and genuine passion for supporting the club and its members make her an indispensable asset and a true exemplar of volunteerism.’

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grande Prairie & Area nominates Kent Hill for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! They wrote ‘Kent has been a volunteer with our organization for 6 years and volunteers his time to mentor a youth who has faced many hardships in his young life. Kent has been a dedicated and steadfast volunteer for both the agency and his Little. Recently, Kent spoke on behalf of a Mentor perspective at our 2024 Ultimate Escape and demonstrated the impact that volunteering to be a Mentor has had on not only his Little’s life, but also on his own. Even with Kent’s busy work schedule, he always dedicates time to his Little and recently did something extra special for his Little for his birthday, this week to make his day even more memorable. We are lucky to have mentors like Kent in our program and are thankful for everything he does for our program and his Little! Thank you, Kent!’

Sheryl Pelletier with Friends of the Shannon Library Society nominates Ailsa Johnson for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! Sheryl wrote ‘She has been actively involved in our Friends Society since before I (Library Director) arrived in 2007. She stayed involved throughout the changes that the Society went through and helped make those changes sustainable. She took over as President in 2012 and has helped keep the Society Active throughout. She volunteers and helps organize annual fundraisers, raffle events, and Casino volunteers.’

‘Outside of the Friends Society, she is an amazing recruiter for volunteers for other casinos, will sell books of raffle tickets for whosoever needs them, and is just generally the exact person to call when you need someone.’

‘She is active in the Sexsmith Seniors Kitchen, The Seams like Sexsmith Quilt Guild, The Friends of the Library Society, her local sorority., as well as being a grandmother and friend to all who need her.’

Grande Prairie Minor Baseball Association nominates Ashley Riley for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! They wrote ‘Ashley has jumped in with both feet. Joining the board in the spring of 2023 as the Lil Reds Director, she has also taken on the role of Secretary for the executive board. Always helpful helping prepare for the season and other activities. She is also volunteering with other groups in the community including minor hockey, Derek Taylor school and rotary activities.’

Grande Prairie Friendship Centre nominates Gurmeet Singh for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! They wrote ‘Gurmeet is a new volunteer for us but has had some experience serving similar populations that we do when he signed up. We were short staffed this week, so I asked Gurmeet if he’d be willing to fill in and he agreed without hesitation. When we’re short staffed, the work can become overwhelming quickly, so we are so appreciative of his experience and willingness to help out. Gurmeet already knew some of our clients and that helped him hit the ground running with little instruction, we couldn’t have asked for a better person to help out this week. And that’s why I’m nominating Gurmeet for volunteer of the week!’

Centre for Young Parents nominates Lauretta Woodgate for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! They wrote ‘Lauretta joined the volunteer team at the CYP Project Thrift Shop in September 2023. She loves to ‘thrift’ herself so was a frequent shopper at our store initially. Lauretta is a very positive and energetic individual who is always willing to help in any capacity, whether behind the scenes or by helping customers that may require assistance. She is very conscientious and loves to organize/clean our outdoor, workroom, and retail spaces. She’s also very capable of fixing items that need repair and appears to enjoy this. We thank Lauretta for her generous gift of time and expertise and look forward to her continuing with us in the future.’

Peace Area Riding for the Disabled Society nominates Nick Williams for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! They wrote ‘Nick started volunteering with PARDS in August of 2023 and has been a consistent weekly volunteer since. He gives his time doing yard and facility maintenance, helping the barn staff ensure the property is well kept and safe for both horse a human.’

‘Nick came to PARDS with a vast array of knowledge and skills that he is more than happy to utilize while helping us complete projects in the yard and within the facility building. Nick has cut and cleared dead standing trees from around the property and in the horse pens, repaired and welded broken spots in our fences and cut the side walls out of our tractor tire hay feeders. Working as a trucker, Nick has operated many types is machinery and with this experience Nick was able to lend in hand in the never-ending task of cleaning/scraping out our pens and paddocks using our skid steer. He has even brought his Kenworth to help us move a new sea can into place. He is open to any task we need help with, always answering with, “no problem we can do that for sure!”‘

‘No matter the day or how many hours he has spent on the road working, Nick always shows up on Thursdays and Fridays with a smile on his face and an eagerness to help. The staff look forward to him coming in each week; Nick’s compassion and caring for what PARDS does shows in the hours, resources, and energy he puts into his volunteer time each week. Thank you Nick for all you have done and continue to do for PARDS, we are grateful to have you as part of our team and look forward to continuing working with you in the future!’

The Church of Christ nominates Wes Attwood for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! They wrote ‘Wes has been there for the youth from day one, always ready and always eager to love and serve them. He would give the shirt off his back for these kids, but he wears tie-dye, and no one wants his shirts. Seriously, I cannot think of anyone who has given so much of themselves to represent Gods love to these kids, and I think a coffee is a good start in one of many thank-you’s.’

Canadian Mental Health Association, Alberta Northwest – Recovery College nominates Scott Topley for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! They wrote ‘Scott Topley is an exceptional volunteer who dedicates his time to the CMHA mental health education program, Recovery College. His empathetic nature and genuine passion for supporting others shines through when he co-facilitates various courses and sessions. With his calm demeanor and active listening skills, Scott assists in creating a safe and inclusive environment for participants from diverse walks of life to share their experiences and learn from one another. His commitment to promoting mental well-being leaves a lasting impact on all those who attend the sessions that he co-facilitates with our team. His humble and kind nature deserves to be recognized! :)’

Pregnancy Care Centre nominates Chole Kaut for Tim Hortons Volunteers of the Week! They wrote ‘Chloe is a college student who volunteers her time to help out wherever needed at the centre. She is cheerful and kind and hops right in to the work.’