Each year, East Hants recognizes and celebrates very important resources in our communities – volunteers. They have voluntarily chosen to undertake a service or duty, making a difference for our communities. Whether it is providing a beautiful community to live in, keeping our culture and history alive, providing safety and protection, coaching a sports team, mentoring youth or helping a friend or neighbour, they have made a difference.
Volunteer Fire Departments may nominate a fire services member for a Canadian Volunteer Fire Service Association Municipal Long Service Award medal for 30 years of Service and additionally long-service bars for 35, 40 and 45 years of service. There is also a 50 year medal available. Thank you to all recipients for your service and all you do for our communities!
Betty-Lou Snook
Betty-Lou has provided 15 years of dedicated service with the Girl Guide Program. She joined as a leader with her daughter who joined as a Spark in 2009, and has continued in that role ever since. She is a dedicated and reliable volunteer who and has helped to create many memories and opportunities for young girls in the community.
Brad Hodgins
Brad is a dedicated volunteer who is passionate about the Shubenacadie Waterway. He is an advocate for Enfield’s Lock 6 Park and has created plans to improve the site for residents and visitors. Brad is an active member of the Shubenacadie Canal Commission, and recently, a key member of the commission’s “Transitions” project for the past several years raising awareness and usage of the waterway.
Christian Miller
Christian has been a dedicated volunteer with the Hants North Baseball Association for the last 15 years. He has served the association as president and a coach. In addition to his service with Hants North Minor Baseball he also supports the Hants North Rural High School by being an assistant coach for basketball, volleyball, and baseball.
Elizabeth “Betty” Miller
Betty has been volunteering for her community for the past 60 years, notably with the Noel Pastoral Charge. She has served on many boards, taught Sunday school and acted as treasurer. She also served with the Hants North Medical Association, bringing better healthcare to the area. She is also a public member on the board for the College of Physicians and Surgeons.
Betty is a mentor, helping the next generation learn the ropes of volunteering.
Jamie and Angela Callaghan
Jamie and Angela work together tirelessly to build a sense of community and support anyone they can. Angela and Jamie make Kennetcook’s Christmas in The Village event possible, bringing together hundreds of community members. Last year, they also hosted a huge gift drive for the Angel Tree program, and worked hard on fundraising efforts to collect donations for the Kids Action Program. In addition to these important community-building initiatives, Jamie is also a volunteer firefighter.
Jancie Lockyer
Janice is the president of the Maitland Development District Association, and volunteers with several other local groups including the CHArt Society and the East Hants Historical Society. You will see her organizing important events such as the Maitland Winter Festival. Janice takes initiative to bridge gaps between groups, strengthening connections between her fellow volunteers. She has been described as the future of Maitland’s community connection.
John Canning
John is the current president of the Corridor Minor Ball Association and is a key member of the baseball community in East Hants. John takes on important tasks, great and small – from ordering uniforms to working on the fields. John acts as the association’s contact for Baseball Nova Scotia and helped set up the Rallycap program. The Corridor Minor Baseball Association wouldn’t be the same without him.
Karen Levy
Over the years, Karen has done a little bit of everything with the Shumilacke Food Bank, adding up to a whole lot of changes and improvements. Her work with the Christmas Cheer Box program provides upwards of 90 families with a delicious, complete dinner when they need it most. Without Karen’s hard work and dedication, the food bank wouldn’t be able to help nearly as many people as it does today.
Lynne Smith
Lynne has been a volunteer Board member and treasurer for the After Trauma Empowerment Network in Shubenacadie for the past 4 years. She goes far beyond what is expected from her and without her, the organization would not be able to operate. She is very invested in her volunteer work and is deeply passionate about helping those who have been affected by trauma.
Margie Neumann
Margie’s accomplishments in the community are many and varied. She has given time to important and causes over the years, from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 166, to the Noel Ladies Fire Auxiliary, to the Rising Tides New Horizons Group. Margie has been president of Rising Tides New Horizons for the past 6 years, often putting in over 40 plus hours a week into her volunteer duties.
Marion Miller
Marion has been a driving force within the Noel and District Volunteer Fire District for over 30 years. She also supports causes such as Cobequid 4-H. From serving at monthly breakfasts to selling tickets or calling bingo, Marion’s service makes a huge impact within the community.
Mary Bond
Mary is a founding member of the Noel & District Fire Department Auxiliary. Holding a variety of crucial roles over the years, you will find Mary at every fundraiser. She is also active with the Noel Pastoral Charge serving as church elder, singing in the choir, and in the annual dinner theatre. Mary is always willing to help whenever she is called.
Peter Giffen
Peter has an wavering dedication to the Milford Recreation Association. Over the years in his many different roles, he stands out as a key member of the group. Whether he is helping with important maintenance and upkeep, or pushing ahead major projects, Peter has been made an enduring impact on his community.
Tonette McPhee
Tonette’s contributions with the Rawdon 2-Way 4-H have shown true dedication and commitment to her community. Starting with her childrens’ involvement over 10 years ago, she has grown to be a critical leader for 4-H. She has built relationships with local fire departments, community halls and health care centres. Her years of knowledge and love of 4-H bring so much to the table.
Wade Redden
Wade is known as a quiet man who prefers to stay out of the limelight. On stage with the Noel United dinner theatre, however, you’ll see his talents shine. As a dedicated and humble volunteer, he volunteers with groups such as CHArt Society and the church in any way he can. Whether peeling apples for the pie sale or singing in the choir, Wade’s talents and service are much appreciated.
Zach Brown
With the East Hants Sport Heritage Society, Zach has taken on the important role of Chairmen of the East Hants “Super Six” Awards. Zach keeps track of all of the top-level athletes from East Hants in various sports, across North America and even Europe, sharing these accomplishments back here at home. As it become more difficult to recruit volunteers, especially among younger generations, Zach’s tireless work is refreshing and inspiring.
Evelyn Ekstrom
Evy is a passionate and active community member of Mount Uniacke. Evy is known as a person who helps others and is always willing to lend a hand. She has been one of the leading forces of the Mount Uniacke Community Improvement Committee, helping with events like easter egg hunts, community dances and barbeques. Evy goes above and beyond to ensure that the community is served well. She is also a member of the local School Advisory Council. Evy does all of this while being a full time parent and student at Mount Saint Vincent University.
Judy Yetman
Judy has been a member of Uniacke & District Branch 165 for 26 years. A dedicated legion volunteer, you can see her behind the grill at many events. Judy is always there to help with Remembrance Day and the New Year’s Levee. First and foremost, Judy is a family person – a devoted mother and grandmother is who loved by all.
Karen Raisbeck
Karen has been described as “the epitome of community”. As President of The East Hants Skating Club she has enabled hundreds people of all abilities to learn to skate. Karen gives much of her time and energy, encouraging youth to realize their own potential. Karen is dependable, caring, and a truly valuable community leader.
Ken McLeod
Ken is a dedicated volunteer for the CHArt Society in Maitland, often helping with theatrical productions at the High Tides Community Center. As the “Mister Fix-It” of the theater, he can be found lending a hand with anything from maintenance to lighting.
Robert Seary
Rob has been involved with the Hants North Food Bank for more than 20 years. With his warm and welcoming personality, he goes above and beyond every day. Rob always says “he goes home with a full heart at the end of every shift because he was able to help someone”. Rob also lends much of his time to the Rawdon Hills Pastoral Charge and to helping seniors. He is not only an exemplary volunteer but an outstanding person.
Troy Robinson
Troy is an important member within the community of Maitland. He volunteers his time as a firefighter, as well as teaching Jiu Jitsu and supporting local community causes through his business, the Frieze and Roy General Store. As the oldest General Store in Canada, it also serves as the hub of Maitland. Troy is generous with his time and resources, often quietly helping those in need.
The Model Volunteer Award is presented to an individual who exemplifies extraordinary caring and commitment through volunteering their time and expertise on several projects to help make their community a better place in which to live. The award is based on the evaluation of the overall impact their contributions have had on their community.
The recipient of this award will represent the Municipality of East Hants at the 2025 Provincial Awards Ceremony hosted by the province of Nova Scotia. All of our volunteer nominees were considered for this award.
2024 Recipient: Margie Neumann