This program is targeted at community volunteers who have volunteered with several initiatives over an extended period of time and have made a meaningful impact on their community. The purpose of the program is to demonstrate the importance and value that volunteers provide in the areas of sport, culture and recreation through public recognition.
The program features two nomination deadline dates annually: April 15 and September 15. (This year October 15). There will be one award recipient for each nomination deadline. The award recipients will receive a grant of $1000, to be utilized in the area of that person’s volunteering efforts (within sport, culture and recreation) while following the guidelines (ex: An individual who has been volunteering on a community Arts Council receives the award and uses the grant funds for an initiative such as art classes for seniors.)
If you are interested in nominating a volunteer in your community, the nomination form and guidelines can be found below. Please read through the guidelines prior to filling out the nomination form.
Let’s celebrate volunteers by thanking them for all they do!
Congratulations Don McRae – VRP Award Winner for April 2023
On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Prairie Central staff headed over to “The Club” in Southey to celebrate Don McRae, the recent award winner of our Volunteer Recognition Program.
Don’s triumphs were clear from the start- his volunteerism has spanned for over 70 years in all areas of sport, culture, and recreation!
Don has given himself selflessly and whole heartedly for the community.
Nominator Donna Doran summed up her application letter saying, “… Don is a very deserving recipient of this award. He has sacrificed numerous volunteer hours to the betterment of our community, both young and old. He continues to be focused around facilitating the well being of others. Don instills and demonstrates what civic pride truly is. He is always willing to assist in any endeavour that will improve Southey and district.”
A few highlights from his nomination include Drama Club prop building, Softball Coaching & Umping, Board of Directors for the (former) Zone 5 Sports Council & Last Touch Regional Recreation Association and the amalgamated Prairie Central District for Sport, Culture and Recreation, SK Games Coach, Manager and Mission staff, and Forever in Motion leader.
During the luncheon we asked Don to share some of his favourite memories of volunteering. He laughed and talked about a textbook squeeze play during a National Softball Championship, and a never ending up and down flight returning from the Maritimes to get home and back to work. Guests shared memories of Don coaching them, as well as their children!
It was a great morning shared by all. Alongside the accolades of winning, Don’s award comes with $1000. Don and the committee have decided to repair the billiards table in the Club so folks can continue to play and gather. We also kitted him out in a full set of Team Prairie Central SK Games gear, forever apart of our team.
From all of us, and the community – Thank You Don.