For some people, helping others is in their DNA.
That could be said for the individuals honoured at this year’s Fredericton Community Recognition Awards.
From a high school teacher passionate about sustainability to a man who is teaching kids how to fly — the winners of the awards were nominated for their commitment to serving the community.
Mayor Kate Rogers said people in the community put forth the names of people to be nominated and then a committee chooses the winners.
This year, nine volunteers were acknowledged at a ceremony on Monday afternoon.
Here are four of their stories.
Madeline Gaudet
For Madeline Gaudet, giving a little part of herself to the community is what makes volunteering so rewarding.
Nearly 87 now, she started volunteering after she retired in 2002. Just a few months after retirement, Gaudet began her volunteer work at the Stepping Stone Senior Centre’s line dancing classes.
Since then, doors have continued to open for Gaudet. She volunteers with several groups, including Meals on Wheels, the Fredericton Community Kitchens and the Senior Wellness Action Group.
“It’s an honour [to be recognized], and yet, I think that there’s so many more people who should be up here with me because when you volunteer, you’re never out there alone,” said Gaudet.
“Regardless of the setting, there’s always more people than me, but let’s say I’ll take it on behalf of everybody.”
Stephane Hamel
Stephane Hamel has been reaching new heights with his volunteering.
Literally.
Hamel, who started by volunteering with his daughter’s cadets program around nine years ago, approached the commanding officer at the time about giving the kids in cadets a chance to learn about aviation.
So, Hamel, who owns his own flight simulation equipment, donated his time and equipment to teach the kids how to fly.
He said while some of the kids will have the opportunity to fly a glider or fly in an aircraft owned by one of the other volunteers, that opportunity has not come up much since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But he still wanted to be able to share his passion for aviation.
“I’ve always been kind of scared of teenagers, you know, you hear so many stories,” said Hamel.
“And then I spent time with them and I was floored with how kind they can be and how passionate and energetic they can be — it makes me feel young,
“I love working with them.”
Nicki Lyons-MacFarlane
Nicki Lyons-MacFarlane got involved with Imprint Youth Association as a volunteer because they wanted to help 2SLGBTQ+ youth in the city.
And right before the pandemic, they took on the role of chair.
“As someone who is non-binary trans, I know how difficult it can be as a youth, especially coming out, finding who you really are,” said Lyons-MacFarlane.
“Adding in the political pressures happening right now, the uncertainty, it’s just important these youth know how to find their way and know that they are safe and valued.”
They said that the organization also just recently opened its drop-in centre, which they said has been crucial in giving queer youth a place to feel at home.
Now 34, Lyons-MacFarlane said when they look back at their teenage self, there was no community like there is now.
“I wish that we had had a community, that we would have had these spaces where we could all hang out and find ourselves and make friends for the future.”
Carolyn Barnhart
Carolyn Barnhart said she feels overwhelmed after being given one of the Community Recognition Awards.
In 2013, Barnhart got involved as a board member with the Gaia Project — a non-profit that aims to empower youth to take action on climate change through education. She’s now chair of the program.
She is also passionate about wetland conservation and volunteers with Ducks Unlimited.
Barnhart said in her 34 years of teaching, it has been great to see her students empowered by working toward a green economy.
When Barnhart was told she would be getting one of the awards, she admits she felt like a bit of a fraud because she didn’t feel as though she was going above and beyond.
For her, volunteering with the Gaia Project was her way of giving back to an organization that provided new opportunities for her students.
The most rewarding part of teaching her students about how to help the environment as individuals is “when they say ‘I got into environmental science or environmental causes because of you,'” Barnhart said.
“So you do make a difference, even though not every day you think that.”
With files from Prapti Bamaniya and Shane Fowler
This story was originally published in CBC News on June 4, 2024.
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