Storrington Lions Celebrate Volunteers’ Awards
Ask most volunteers why they help others, and they’ll tell you they want to change and improve lives. That is certainly the case for two award winning volunteers with Storrington Lions Club.
Speaking from her home in South Frontenac Township, 17-year-old Sloane Nourry was pleasantly surprised to win the Youth Volunteerism Award from the township late last year. She won the award for helping local organizations such as Storrington Lions Club, a service club that works to make Battersea, Inverary and Sunbury closer and stronger.
“Honestly, it felt really nice,” says the Grade 12 student. “I wasn’t expecting anything like that, so it kind of caught me off guard. I don’t volunteer for recognition, but it still felt good to know people noticed and appreciated what I’ve been doing. Getting the award just reminded me why I started helping out in the first place. It made me want to keep going and maybe even do more.”
Sloane was excited and nervous to accept the award from the mayor at a special celebration in late November 2025. Before presenting the award, Mayor Ron Vandewal said Sloane was dedicated and reliable.
“I like feeling like I’m actually doing something useful,” she says when questioned why she volunteers. “Even small things can make someone’s day easier, and that motivates me. I get inspired by people who quietly show up and help without making a big deal about it.”
Sloane received the award for her volunteer work at the club which started as a way to complete the 40 volunteer hours mandated by the ministry of education. She completed the 40 hours and never looked back.
Sloane has these words of advice for people who don’t volunteer but want to start: “I’d say, just try it once. You don’t have to commit to anything huge, just show up and see how it feels. Most of the time you realize it’s easier than you thought.”
Known to most residents of South Frontenac Township, Marie Wilkins was also recognized for her work with Storrington Lions Club. Marie is the club’s treasurer, zone chair and volunteers with Recreation and Leisure Committee for South Frontenac, Inverary United Church and the South Frontenac Income Tax Program. She also assists people with their personal/financial lives.
Asked about winning the Good Neighbour Award, she notes, “It felt really good to be recognized for my volunteering, but I don't do it to be recognized. I enjoy helping out our community to make it a better place for us all to enjoy.”
Speaking on behalf of the club, Past President D’Arcy Marconi notes, “Marie never tires from the variety of volunteer services she contributes to. She is almost always the first person to raise their hand when assistance is required. I recall commenting, for fear of her taking on too much, that sometimes she needs to learn to say no. She laughed at me, saying she knows how to say no, but I've seen no evidence of that yet.”
Asked what she would tell people who are thinking about volunteering, Marie says “It only takes a minute to assist someone in the community. It can be a little thing or a big thing. Everything we do makes an impact on someone's life and it becomes a better place, and we feel better for doing it.”
To learn more about joining Storrington Lions Club or to rent the community hall in Sunbury, please visit https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/storringtonon/ | call 613-353-6920 |or email [email protected].
