Estevan, Fort Qu’Appelle, North Battleford, Outlook, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon are home to the newest recipients of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, as the provincial honour marks its 20th anniversary this year.
“Truly the best part of my job is that every day, I get to meet Saskatchewan volunteers,” Lieutenant Governor Vaughn Solomon Schofield said. “These latest recipients of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal stand out in a province that stands out. Their collective impact is, quite frankly, immeasurable. I am grateful to each of them for their outstanding service and I congratulate them on this well-deserved honour.”
The medal recognizes an outstanding volunteer or someone who exemplifies exceptional community involvement. The 2014 recipients are:
•John Barton, Saskatoon
•Tina Bird, Estevan
•Marnie Eistetter, Regina
•Ray Fox, North Battleford
•Don McDonald, Saskatoon
•Harold Ross, Fort Qu’Appelle
•Edith Slatnik, Outlook
•Darren Whitehead, Prince Albert
“Congratulations to these remarkable men and women for this achievement,” Premier Brad Wall said. “As the heart and soul of our neighbourhoods and communities, volunteers make positive things happen each and every day, which improves our quality of life and truly makes Saskatchewan a better place.”
The Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal program was launched in 1995 with the first recipients presented their medals the next year.
The medal itself was designed by Jack Glasser of Regina, who was selected through a province-wide competition in 1994. 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, “Nos ipsos dedimus,” which means, “We gave of ourselves.”
The Lieutenant Governor will present the medals to the newest eight recipients in April in Regina. Following that ceremony, a total of 174 people will have received this provincial honour. Saskatchewan has the highest rate of volunteerism in Canada.
