Their actions speak volumes
Volunteers celebrated for their community contributions
It’s all about setting a good example … for their children and others in the community.
That’s what inspires these two busy women to contribute as much as they do, and they do a lot. For their efforts, Cynthia Guindon of Verner and Amy Schoppmann of St-Charles recently received Volunteer Recognition Awards, presented by their local MP, Marc Serré.
Both Amy and Cynthia are extremely active in their community and have taken on leadership roles in bringing the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) to Northern Ontario this September – another volunteer venture. They were among 20 people to take part in a recent ceremony to celebrate outstanding community contributions.
“I would like to congratulate each and every one of these 20 exemplary individuals for their community involvement, their leadership and being an inspiration to us all,” says MP Serré, who represents the Nickle Belt riding, in a news release. “We all have something to learn from these 20 dedicated leaders. I wish them all the best for achieving their goals in 2019 and much more! Bravo!”
The awards are presented annually to celebrate the dedication of volunteers to the well-being of their community.
Despite being a nurse and a mother of four, Amy still finds time to pitch in at her children’s school, organizing fundraisers such as the Bears Fish Fry, the Christmas parade, bake sales and more. In fact, she was nominated for this award by the school principal and secretary.
“I just have a passion for helping others,” Amy says. “It’s very humbling to be nominated for such an award. I don’t expect anything for what I do. I do it because I love to do it.”
Amy is also co-chair of Tented City for the upcoming IPM set for Sept. 17 to 21 in Verner, West Nipissing.
“It’s a huge event that will greatly benefit the community and surrounding areas,” she says of the IPM. “It’s important that everybody in the community is involved.”
Cynthia agrees.
“It’s one of the most amazing experiences that our community could have and I want this event to be a success,” she says. “I’m trying to get my fellow people in the community to get involved also.”
Cynthia’s community contributions have included five years as a volunteer firefighter and donating her time with the Verner Minor Hockey Association, including serving as trainer for the novice team. In terms of IPM 2019, she’s the Special Events chair.
Her nomination for the volunteerism award came courtesy a co-worker at Caisse populaire Alliance, where Cynthia is an executive assistant.
“My family has always been really involved,” the mother of two explains of her vast volunteer experience. “If nobody gets involved, nothing happens and I want us to have a great community.
“I believe an involved community gets amazing results.”
The International Plowing Match & Rural Expo is a five-day celebration of agriculture and rural living. It features plowing competitions, live entertainment, hundreds of exhibitors, demonstrations, antique equipment, the newest technologies and much more.
Bringing with it an economic impact of about $25 million, the IPM is held in a different community each year and attracts about 80,000 people.
By Richard Vivian
