Recognizing the volunteers at SFCSC

Apr 26, 2012

Photo: Jennifer Linton and Craig Kielburger, renowned international activist for rights of  children, courtesy SFCS.

The sounds of the La Salle Causeway Big Band filled the stone walls at the Grace Centre in Sydenham on April 18 at Southern Frontenac Community Services' (SFCS) volunteer appreciation event.

The agency’s executive director, David Townsend, thanked the volunteers who attended for “making the organization what is today”. In his speech to the large group, Townsend said, “Our agency would not be able to serve the over 800 seniors and 100 plus families that we are currently serving without the important work that you do, so we just wanted to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you.”

The organization has approximately 192 volunteers who serve in various areas - in everything from bingo, fund raising, transportation, the food bank, the diners club and more. The party coincided with National Volunteer Week and Kathryn O'Hara, who organized the afternoon and who works as the SFCSC fund development and promotions coordinator, said it is a chance for all the volunteers to meet and get to know each other, and “is a special tribute to important work that they do”.

One of the volunteers, Jennifer Linton, recently received a very special honor from the United Way for her work with SFCS. Jennifer and her husband David have been long time volunteers with SFCS - David as a volunteer driver and Jennifer as a volunteer board member and most currently as the agency’s food bank coordinator.

On April 17, Jennifer Linton was awarded the “Volunteers Grow Community” Award by the KFL&A branch of the United Way. In a special ceremony that took place at St. Lawrence College in Kingston, she was presented with the award by renowned international activist and founder of the “Free the Children” Foundation, Craig Kielburger.

SFCS was one of 25 organizations that submitted nominations for the annual award and Jennifer was nominated for the extensive work she has contributed to the organization over the past five years. During that time Jennifer not only assembled a team of 15 volunteers and raised funds via private donations and partnerships with local schools, the OPP, businesses, and churches, she also made a substantial contribution to the agency's fundraising efforts and was critical in the development and growth of several initiatives including the annual auction, FundScrip and annual golf tournament. Jennifer also sits on the Grace Committee, the SFCSC's renovation project at the Grace Centre, which is the agency's new home.

At the Grace Centre event, Jennifer humbly said that she had agreed to accept the nomination with the understanding that the award would help promote the SFCSC to a broader audience. Her advice for those considering volunteering- “Just come down and try it out. It's so incredibly rewarding and people are so appreciative and it really feels great to know that you are making a difference in the community.”

SFCSC is always looking for new volunteers willing to offer any amount of spare time that they might have. The organization has many different volunteer opportunities. For more information contact Kathryn O'Hara at 613-376-6477.

SFCSC volunteer Jennifer Linton was presented with the United Way's Volunteers Grow Community Award by Craig Kielburger on April 17 at St. Lawrence College Kingston. Photo- courtesy of the SFCSC