December 10, 2003

Hospital employee Wessell named outstanding volunteer - Staff
AMHERST - A long-time hospital employee and volunteer has been named the Cumberland Health Care Foundation's Outstanding Volunteer Award recipient.

Allen Wessell was presented with the honour at the foundation's volunteer recognition reception on Friday, the International Day of the Volunteer. "Our volunteers are essential to our success. These individuals give selflessly to better the health care of residents of Cumberland County," foundation managing director Jodi Swan said in a release.

The award, a first for the foundation, was presented to Wessell for his tireless and selfless efforts. "Allen exemplifies all that is positive about the foundation's volunteers. He not only spearheads our Light the Way event, putting in hours upon hours of work, but he is always there for any need. He has even gone so far as to recruit other family members to assist with foundation projects," stated Swan, adding Wessell's selection was unanimous among the board.

Wessell has been involved with the foundation since its inception and was one of many who volunteered with the Code Green campaign - the hospital staff contribution for the Above & Beyond Campaign. He has served with the Light the Way committee since its beginning six years ago.

According to the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy more than one out of four Canadians volunteer through a charitable or non-profit organization. In total, Canadians volunteered 1.05 billion hours during the past year.

"There is a quote that best suits our volunteer: 'Volunteers are not paid - not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless' - that is exactly how we feel about our volunteers," stated Swan.