Five-thousand-three-hundred and fifty-seven years of volunteer work across Grey-Bruce was gathered under one roof.
The Ontario Volunteer Service Award Ceremony took place at OSCVI in Owen Sound last night.
Manager of the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat Rick Beaver says that’s some of the most years he’s seen in one community across Ontario.
A group of youth from the Grey Roots Museum and Archive received awards for the time they spend during the summer months volunteering for the kids’ camp.
Others were recognized for their time spent with one organization, from a minimum of five years of service, up to some who have spent 40 or more years volunteering.
One woman, Doris Langdon, has spent more than 60 years volunteering with the Highpoint Rebekah Lodge 341 in Dundalk.
However, Langdon feels small communities can’t thrive without volunteers, and she says it’s hard to get young people involved.
However, Beaver says he knows there are more kids volunteering, they just don’t always get the recognition they deserve.
There were two recipients recognized again last night that were honoured at a provincial ceremony a month ago.
Barry Fuller, from the Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey, and Joan Jones with the Canadian Mental Health Association were honoured with the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism.
