by Mary P. Brooke    |         March 21, 2010

Fire fighting, helping with the food bank, and supporting the community through business were the frequent citations for winners of the 32 recognition awards issued to volunteers of the Sooke community at a public ceremony, Sunday, March 21. Held at Sooke Community Hall from 1:00 to 3:30 pm and attended by about 175 volunteers with their family and friends, the event was presided over by Mayor Janet Evans and all six District of Sooke Councillors.

Recipients who are known to many included Steve Sorensen, Sooke fire chief; Scott Gertsma, owner of Sooke Home Hardware and a past-president of the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce; Barry Gifford, coordinator, Sooke Food Bank; and Ellen Lewers, an activist for rural community issues. Many others who work quietly behind the scenes were also recognized. Dr. Chris Bryant was recognized at the end of the ceremony for his efforts "from the past year". The primary organizer of Sooke's annual Canada Day celebration, Judithe Ann Gatto, was also an award recipient. The event was attended by John Horgan, MLA.

District Councillors (L to R) Sheila Beech, David Bennett, Bev Berger, Ron Dumont, Herb Haldane and Maja Tait congratulate Ellen Lewers for her "community support" volunteer work.  Photo Copyright 2010 MapleLine Magazine.

"On behalf of Council and the people of Sooke, I congratulate you all. You are the many people who make this community better and better," said Mayor Janet Evans at the conclusion of the awards distribution. "This is how the community has been built over the last 50 years, making Sooke what it is today -- the Volunteer Capital of Canada. We have fabulous events in Sooke such as the Fall Fair and the Sooke Fine Arts Show and a strong volunteer firefighting department. Congratulations to all and well done. And I realize that your families are there behind what you do," the Mayor concluded.

The event was primarily organized by Sooke Historian Elida Peers, who issued invitations to most of those in attendance. A poster-style display of the approximately 280 recognized volunteers of the past 50 years was unveiled at the back of the room after the event, for guests to browse through.

This was the fifth such recognition ceremony held since the volunteer recognition program began in 2001, that being the International Year of Volunteers. Mayor Evans has carried on this effective leadership that was initiated by then-Mayor Ed Mcgregor (deceased). This year's jurors were identified as Larry Rumsby, Kate Wilford and Liz Johnson; nominations had been invited from the public over the past few months by way of a forms/applications process through the District of Sooke.

Refreshments were provided by the Sooke Lionness organization.   MM