At top, volunteers with the Oliver Food Bank win the group Spirit of Oliver award. Below left, Yvonne Moore wins the individual award, shown with Mayor Ron Hovanes and Councillor Maureen Doerr.Below right, Kenzie Harrington wins the youth award.
Keith Lacey photos
When Yvonne Moore was a little girl growing up in Oliver, she would accompany her mom and dad to various community functions, where her parents were heavily involved in volunteerism.
For many years, her dad spent weeks each year as Oliver’s official Santa Claus.
“I used to go with my mom and dad and try and help them as much as I could,” said Moore, who was honoured as the Individual Adult Volunteer of the Year at the annual Spirit of Oliver awards last Sunday afternoon in a ceremony held in the foyer of Frank Venables Theatre at Southern Okanagan Secondary School (SOSS).
“My parents were very much into volunteering their free time to help the community and that’s where I got my start as a little girl.”
Kenzie Harrington, 15, was selected as the Individual Youth Volunteer of the Year, while the Oliver Food Bank was selected as the Outstanding Community Group.
Moore, 82, has been a tireless community volunteer working on almost too many projects to mention throughout her life as a proud member of the Town of Oliver, said Councillor Maureen Doerr, who helped act as Master of Ceremony for the Spirit of Oliver awards, along with Mayor Ron Hovanes.
Ironically, Moore is Hovanes’ mother-in-law.
Doerr said Moore has made it known for many years that she was willing to get involved in any project that would be beneficial to the community.
“Yvonne was never shy to take on anything that needed to get done,” she said.
Some of the community projects Moore has helped champion over the past several decades included raising money to start a swim club in Oliver, participating in door-to-door campaigns for various causes for more than 25 years, being active in all community projects with the Oliver United Church, Oliver Kiwanis Club, Royal Elks Lodge and Royal Canadian Legion, and helping raise funds to build the new Frank Venables Theatre after a fire destroyed the theatre and most of the local high school almost four years ago, said Doerr.
Moore said she was thrilled to have been honoured for doing things she loves to help her community.
“I’m floored,” said Moore, a mother of six who has spent her entire life in Oliver with the exception of 18 months when she met her husband, who was in the Canadian Navy. “There are a lot of people who I shared this award with because you don’t accomplish things to improve your community by yourself. To be recognized for being involved in things you love doing is something I won’t forget.
“Many of my best friends in life are those I’ve met through volunteering, and I cherish those friendships very much, so I consider myself the lucky one.”
Moore still volunteers for the local soup kitchen and various service clubs on a regular basis.
“As long as I have my good health, I will remain involved as a volunteer,” she said. “I wouldn’t dream of stopping now.”
Despite her young age, Harrington has been actively involved in volunteerism for many years, said Doerr.
Harrington has been described by her peers as a “true role model” who wants to make a positive impact on her community, she said.
She has volunteered for various parks and recreation programs, the local food bank, youth theatre group and helped organize the Desert Half Ironman in Osoyoos and community 10-kilometre run event in Oliver.
“You have done a wonderful job and you are to be congratulated,” said Doerr.
Harrington has been volunteering since she was very young.
“This year working with the elderly people doing technology at the library is helping me decide if I want to go into computer technology at university. It broadens my skills of what I am good at.”
She is looking at scholarship and bursary opportunities in the future and making sure she has a good resume.
Harrington is very busy with work, sports, school, and volunteering, but it helps her with time management skills that she will need in the future. “I would be bored if I didn’t have stuff to do all the time. I still have lots of time to spend with my friends as many of them are involved in many of the same things.”
Her goal is to study business or education at a top university in Canada.
The Oliver Food Bank has operated out of several buildings over the past 35 years, but is proud to have found a new home at its current location on Station Street, said Doerr.
Dozens of volunteers regularly donate in excess of 200 hours per month feeding the less fortunate and help provide nutritious meals to more than 90 families from Oliver and area, she said.
Board treasurer Jim Ouellette said every single volunteer involved with the Oliver Food Bank deserves credit for doing so much to help the less fortunate.
“We at the food bank wouldn’t exist without support from the Town of Oliver and the constant support is ongoing and never ending,” he said. “We feel very honoured to receive this award and we know everyone in the community is behind us. Thank you very much.”
Hovanes said the Spirit of Oliver awards are a wonderful way for the Town of Oliver to extend a heartfelt thank you to all community volunteers who donate their time, skill and experience to support local organizations, businesses and not-for-profit endeavours.
Many groups are reliant on volunteers to meet their fundraising goals, deadlines and event staffing requirements, he said.
Their success is dependent on these volunteer resources.
Hovanes said it is important to recognize these individuals and groups, who give of their own free time to fundraise, improve health, support local business, enhance events and provide positive experiences for residents and visitors to the Oliver area.
Keith Lacey
Special to the Chronicle
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- Keith Lacey photos
