Manitoba volunteers honoured with medals

Two residents of southeastern Manitoba were recognized last week for their volunteer efforts.

On Monday, Lieutenant Governor Janice Filmon presented ten Manitobans with the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers.

The award is part of the Canadian Honours System and serves to recognize exceptional volunteer achievements from across the country and abroad, encompassing a wide range of voluntary contributions.

One of the recipients was John Kroeker.

Since its inception in 2009, Kroeker has been a volunteer with Steinbach Community Outreach, helping low-income clients file their tax returns, and providing the organization with financial and technological assistance. He also serves as Treasurer of Soups On Steinbach and was a long-time board member of the Steinbach Mennonite Church.

"Every organization, especially charities all need help, they can't pay for every person that's required to keep an organization viable," says Kroeker. "And so I like to do my part and help out the organizations that align with some of the things that I personally can identify with."

Kroeker says his volunteer work is largely behind the scenes, but he says the satisfaction of being able to help is the best part of volunteering.

"But I'm sure there's a lot of people in Steinbach that probably put in more volunteer hours than I do," he suggests. "So they should all be recognized."

Also receiving a medal this past week was Yvonne Savard. For more than a decade, Savard has been helping seniors get around with Le Chalet de La Broquerie.

Savard is the President of Le Papier de chez nous, prepares meals for grieving families in the Paroisse St. Joachim and helps fund activities for seniors in her community with the Southern Health Centre.

"I am so proud to have these Manitobans recognized nationally for their voluntary contributions within their communities and beyond," says Filmon.

"From the smallest community to the heart of our largest city, Manitobans are known for giving so much of their time, talent and creativity to make a difference in the world around them."