Recognizing 50 Years of Volunteers Making a Difference in Their Communities

Jonathan Torrens, event Emcee, joins Angela Patterson, chair of the Kings Volunteer Resource Centre for a quick snap before the award ceremony.

Nova Scotians recently celebrated the heart and soul of community goodwill. Each year the Department of Culture, Communities, Tourism and Heritage honor community leaders at the annual Provincial Volunteer Awards.

“Volunteers have been the strength behind community initiatives, the heart of charitable endeavors, and the soul of outreach programs,” said Premier Tim Houston.

Among the honorees: Heather Thomson, of the Ultimate Online Nova Scotia Kitchen Party; Alexander Poplar, of River Hebert, as the Youth Volunteer of the Year; and the Chetwynd Family, of Lockeport, for their multi-generational dedication to the Lockeport Volunteer Fire Department and the Lockeport & Area Medical First Responders.

This year 72 community heroes were nominated from communities across Nova Scotia and received awards on Sept. 18 in Truro.

“Volunteers are the backbone of our communities.,” said Dave Ritcey, MLA for Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River. “Their immense contributions are what make our province vibrant and resilient. Today, we celebrate not just the individual achievements of our honorees but also the collective spirit of giving that defines us as Nova Scotians.”

Heather Killen, Volunteer Nova Scotia, joins Guleen Sarao and Rodger Gregg of the Nova Scotia Guard before the event.

Alexander Poplar is the Youth Volunteer of the Year. Since the age of seven, he has been supporting and enhancing his community through his volunteer efforts.

He is a driving force behind a variety of youth initiatives and has taken a leading role in enhancing food security at his school and community centre.

His skills in grant writing resulted in an $18,000 food pantry grant.

The Chetwynd Family, of Lockeport, are the Volunteer Family of the year.

This family’s legacy of volunteerism spans generations and has been integral to the development of emergency services in their community.

Various members of this family have demonstrated selfless dedication as fire fighters and medical first responders. Other members are taking leading roles at the elementary school and offering support for young families.

Heather Thomson, The Ultimate Online Nova Scotia Kitchen Party, is the Nova Scotia Strong Award winner.

In the darkest days of the Covid lockdowns, Heather Thomson and her dedicated team created an online community that brought Nova Scotia together and lifted people’s spirits with infectious joy and live music.

What began as a response to isolation quickly spread to homes across the world, reaching about 100 countries and uniting musicians and audiences worldwide through the love of music.

Through partnerships with various organizations, the Kitchen Party has raised more than $130,000 for vital community causes.