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An Estevanite will be one of the newest recipients of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, with the provincial honour marking its 20th anniversary at a 小蓝视频 in April.
Tina Bird will receive the medal for her lengthy volunteer resum茅 that currently includes work on the Relay for Life campaign, as a victim services support worker with the Estevan Police Service and RCMP, the Estevan Lions Club and the Estevan Army Cadets.
The medal recognizes an outstanding volunteer or someone who exemplifies exceptional community involvement.
Bird鈥檚 nominator, Pat Steinke, said there is no one more deserving.
鈥淪he鈥檚 the hardest working. She never has an excuse. If she says she鈥檚 going to do a job, she does it, and she does it 100 per cent,鈥� said Steinke, who praised Bird鈥檚 leadership and time management skills.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no job she won鈥檛 roll up her sleeves and do herself. She asks nothing of her volunteers that she won鈥檛 do, and she works alongside everybody who is there to help her.鈥�
Bird said she believes in 鈥減aying it forward,鈥� and that has left her wanting to help out when and where she can.
鈥淚 was very shocked and in awe when they called me,鈥� said Bird referring to when she was informed of the award.
鈥淚f anybody read her resum茅, they would be amazed at how many organizations, committees, boards (she is on). Ever since I met Tina, she has worked really hard to improve Estevan. She has been a wonderful addition to our community on all levels, whether it鈥檚 school, the community, the Cancer Society, the Lions. You name it, Tina is involved,鈥� added Steinke.
Bird has worked at Carson Energy Services since 2008. During her off hours she has served Estevan鈥檚 Relay for Life in many capacities, including as event chair, logistics chair, team chair and team participant. She has also been a board member of the Canadian Cancer Society, 小蓝视频east District Board, since 2010 and is a recipient of the Division Special Award, Canadian Cancer Society. Her other achievements and activities include: victim support worker, 小蓝视频east Regional Victim Services; president, secretary, treasurer, past president and board member, Estevan Youth and Mini Soccer Organization; chairperson, Sacred Heart/Sacr茅 Coeur School Community Council; president, Estevan Lions Club; Estevan Comprehensive School Community Council, as secretary and member at large; chairperson, Sponsoring Committee, Estevan Army Cadets; chairperson, Estevan Army Cadets Parents鈥� Committee; former Legion member and Legion board representative; Estevan Farmers鈥� Market board member; volunteer, United Way Telethon; canvasser, Heart and Stroke Foundation; volunteer, Girl Guides of Canada and Scouts Canada.
Steinke said for someone who has a big life outside of her volunteering, with a job, family and other commitments, 鈥渟he sees where the needs are in this community and dives right in.鈥�
The Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal program was established in 1995 with the first recipients presented with their medals the following year.
The medal is silver, circular in form and suspended by a V-shaped clasp from a ribbon of green and gold, the provincial colours. It also has the Saskatchewan Shield of Arms, the Crown and a motto reading in Latin, 鈥淣os ipsos dedimus,鈥� which means, 鈥淲e gave of ourselves.鈥�
The Lieutenant-Governor Vaughan Solomon Schofield, a recipient of the award herself in 2009, will present the medals to the newest eight recipients in April in Regina. Following that 小蓝视频, 174 people will have received this provincial honour. Saskatchewan has the highest rate of volunteerism in Canada, according to a government press release.
