The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

a Township celebrates vol EMBRUN~ Twenty» eight volunteers from all corners of the Township were honoured Saturday evening at the second annu- al Volunteer Recognition Gala, hosted by the Township of Russell at the Embrun Recreation Centre. The gala evening, catered by AJ'S Catering, was organized by Township of Russell councillor Lorraine Dicaire, with the help of a committee of township staff and volunteers: Maurice Godard, Edgar Pommainville, Duane Fitzpatrick, Jane Adlard, Ginette Bertrand, Céline Guitard and Mélany Chrétien. The volunteers receiving recognition were all nomi- nated by their peers in the community. Only those who were able to attend the vol» unteer banquet were eligible for recognition. Recipients received certificates of appreciation from the ' province and from the town- ship, and Township of Russell pins, They also received at their individual place settings, an oversized pewter fork, with a card sig- nifying that the phrase "keep your fork" means the promise of more and better things to come. Councillor Dicaire noted the Township's rich history of- volunteerism and thanked those present "for the many '-h'ozixs'giVen 'without'count-- mg". " 3L: of you play an essential role in our commu- nities and the effect of such kindness is unmistakeable. "Volunteering isn't a one-time experience, it's a lifetime action," she said. "Thank you our volunteers who donate their time. knowledge, skills and pas-- sion to enhance the commu-- nity and the lives of others." Guests of honour at the banquet included MP Pierre Lemieux, MPP Jean--Marc Lalonde. and Denis Pommainville, Mayor of the Nation Municipality. The nominees recog» nized were: Aubrey St. Peter and Denise Lafrance of Embrun, for their work at the Township of Russell Good Neighbours Food Bank; Bernard Demers of Limoges, Camille Piché of Embrun, for his work with the Knights of Columbus, Embrun Recreation Centre, and St. Jacques parish; Cécile Roy, nominated by the Union Culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes; Claudette Geerts of Russell for founding the Russell Meals on Wheels; Connie Johnston of Russell for her many endeavours on behalf of others, including fundraising Trivia Nights, Mothers Helping Others, Ladies Night, Russell Agricultural Society, Russell Historical Society, The Villager May 7, 2008 Page 15 and the Canadian Cancer ' ' Society; Dorothy Kinkaid and Peter Keay of Russell, both nominated for their work with the Russell Historical Society and Keith M, Boyd Museum; Edgar Pommainville; Gerry Benoit of the Club Optimiste d'Embrun;-Gilles Perras for his work with broomball leagues; Ginette Rivet of Embrun, for her work on behalf of the Good Neighbours Food Bank, Filles d'lsabelle, recreation- al organizations and St, Jacques Parish; Helene Blanchard, longn'me mem-- ber and president of the Russell County Federation of Agriculture, dairy pro- ducers and the Normal Farm Practices Board; Helene and Paul Lamoureux, volunteers with the Maison des Arts, Richelieu Club and St. Jacques parish; Hank Staal of Russell, an active director of the Russell Agricultural Society for 50 years, as well as member of the Russell Holstein Committee, Prescott Milk Committee, and Ottawa Valley Whole Mike Producers; Jim Campbell of Russell, for his active involvement with the Russell Lions Club, Jim and Shirley Sullivan of Russell, for their work with the Russell Agricultural Society, where Jim has been a director for over 45 years and for Jim's invoWement with the Russell Lions Club, including 40 years of perfect attendance; Mariette Bourdon, for her work with the parish, Embrun Meals on Wheels, and Foyer St. Jacques; Mary Inglis of Russell for her work with the Russell Village Women's Institute and other recreational organizations over the years; Mhairi Rowland of Russell for her work with the Russell Association for the, Performing Arts: Mignonne Perras of Embrun, member of the Union Culturelle des Franco-Ontariennes; Paulette Lemieux of the Filles d'Isabelle d'Embrun; Ron Hubbard of Russell for his work with the Russell 1 Watch, recreational organi» zations, Police Village of Russell and Russell Fire Department; Therese Arcand, volunteer with the Cancer Society, Meals on Wheels and Club Joie de Vivre, and Wendy Murray, volunteer coordinator for the Russell Watch and videographer for the Russell Fire Department, as well as a founding member of the victims support group, VCARS, and a volunteer over the years with the Russell Public School par-- ents' committee, library, Russell Horticultural Society, recreational sports and a canvasser for many - other organizations. Ron Hubbard Volunteer Mhairi Rowland accepts her certificates from Township of Russell Mayor Ken Hill and Councillor Lorraine Dicaire. Shifley and \im Su\\'Nan, both members oi the Russe" Agricukurfi Society. \'\m has 4% years Variant tmeoomce. when \kaxusseXBQ'w QoS. Denise Lairance a ubrey St. Peter of the Good Neighbours Food Bank. Peter Keay of the Russell Lion Russell Historical Jim Campbell Ity' Volunteer Dorothy Kinkaid with Councillor Lorraine Dicaire and MPPJean-Marc Lalonde. -'5 - i A: Mary lnglis of the Hank Staal, longtime ClaUdEtte Geerts, RussellVillageWomen's member of the Russell founder 0f Russell Connie Johnston Meals on Wheels. Institute. Agricultural Society.