The Town of Morinville celebrated its local heroes at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre last Thursday with its annual Volunteer Appreciation Night. The big winner of the night was Sheila Houle who was awarded the Volunteer of the Year.
The Town of Morinville celebrated its local heroes at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre last Thursday with its annual Volunteer Appreciation Night.
The big winner of the night was Sheila Houle who was awarded the Volunteer of the Year. To say that she didn't expect to take home the trophy is to put it mildly. Melonie Dziwenka, the town's community program co-ordinator, said the modest lady was nearly moved to tears upon hearing the announcement.
“When it happened, I was so surprised. I just never thought along those lines,” Houle admitted. “It's very humbling to get that award because I truly never thought about it.”
The former nurse and long-time member of the Catholic Women's League is the president and driving force behind the Morinville Historical and Cultural Society and the Musée Morinville Museum.
“She's been the motivator for keeping history in Morinville,” said Dziwenka.
This means working hard to make history relevant and exciting by being involved in such community events as the Easter Egg Hunt and Canada Day celebrations, and she's the champion of keeping those going, Dziwenka added.
Houle has also been striving to make the museum more of a recognized cultural institution throughout the greater Edmonton region. When asked if she was proud of all that she had accomplished, she said, “Absolutely!”
“She's one of the most amazing people I've ever met. She's just a wonderful motivator. History is sometimes a very difficult thing to keep it going … trying to keep ‘why our roots are here' very alive,” Dziwenka continued.
“She's just that quiet person that always has a way of motivating her team and putting on some pretty amazing events.”
For her part, Houle prefers to stay low key and thank the people who are always there to support her to keep history in the present for all.
“She's one of those people who does it because she has a passion for it. She doesn't do it for recognition,” Dziwenka said, adding that all volunteers were offered a card for a complimentary coffee as another way of showing the town's appreciation for their time and hard work.
“Many of our organizations would not even exist if we did not have the volunteers. I don't think we can even equate the dollars and the passion that they have. Hopefully they do take a break this week and go and have a coffee on us.”
Other winners were:
• Ken Hashey received the Rendez vous Club Heritage Award;
• Simon Boersma received the Morinville Lions Citizen of the Year award;
• Paul Smith received the Paul Krauskopf Community Spirit award;
• Tristan Turner won the Youth award;
• Dougie Edwards won the Coach/Mentor award;
• the Unsung Hero award went to Valerie Loseth;
• and the Family award went to the Morinville Library.
