“Volunteers are not paid—not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.”

Outstanding Volunteer Award Recipients

2005 - James Scopie

2003 - Allen Wessell

The Board of Directors of the Cumberland Health Care Foundation recognize the valuable contributions of our many volunteers. We are truly appreciative of the support they provide in helping us achieve our goals and fulfill our mission. Cumberland Health Care Foundation volunteers serve on committees associated with the board, our special events and foundation projects and initiatives.When you volunteer, you give part of yourself —your time, energy, skills and feelings. You give to your family and friends, to your neighbors, to your community. Sometimes, you are giving to people you don’t know.

Giving is one of the reasons why people volunteer. Their contributions to others and to their communities bring them feelings of self-fulfillment and the knowledge that they have made a difference.

In recognition of the International Day of the Volunteer, celebrated on December 5, 2003 the Board of Directors of the Cumberland Health Care Foundation presented their first annual Outstanding Volunteer Award. This inaugural award was presented to a most deserving volunteer: Allen Wessell.Allen has been involved with the foundation since its inception, volunteering with the staff “Code Green Campaign” which raised funds for the staff contribution to the building of the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre. Allen has also been involved with the Light the Way event, since it began in 1998. He spends countless hours stringing lights, erecting trees, climbing ladders and braving the elements to make our Light the Way a success. He has even managed to recruit other family members to assist him in decorating. Allen’s support of the foundation is invaluable – he goes well above and beyond in his work, his volunteering and his support.

According to the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy, more than one in four Canadians (6.5 million people) volunteer through a charitable or non-profit organization. In total, Canadians volunteered 1.05 billion hours during the year. This is equivalent to 549,000 full-time jobs.

“We make a living by what we do, we make a life by what we give” ~ Winston Churchill