Mary RoyALS Cause is the 2012 recipient of CBRM’s Gary McDonald Memorial Award, in recognition of an outstanding community project. Mary RoyALS Cause is a fundraising and public awareness campaign for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The group coordinates a number of recreation activities to support the ongoing efforts of the ALS Society of Nova Scotia. Over the past three years, this small group of volunteers has raised more than $14,000, with all proceeds going to the ALS Society of Nova Scotia.
Blair Boone from River Ryan is the 2012 recipient of CBRM’s Anne Holland Memorial Award, in recognition of an outstanding community volunteer. Boone has been active in Ring 73 as an amateur boxer for over 30 years, and competed at the national level, winning a bronze medal. He served on the Ring 73 executive for 30 years, and as president for 25 years. Boone helped local boxers who went on to win in provincial, national and international championships. He spent many hours planning and managing many provincial, national and international boxing championships in Glace Bay and Sydney, and served as a judge and amateur boxing referee for close to 30 years. He also helped with fundraising, including chairing Ring 73 Bingo for several years. Boone was the president of Boxing Nova Scotia, served on the Board of Directors for Boxing Canada, and represented the local boxing community at the provincial and national levels. Other volunteer activities for Boone include serving as president of the Cape Breton Miner Co-op, dragger man in mine rescue at Devco. He is currently vice-president of the New Waterford Fish and Game Association and remains a world class boxing referee and judge for Ring 73.
The 2012 Youth Volunteer Award co-recipients are Brittany Marsh from Millville and Mitchell Hanna from Howie Centre.
Youth Volunteer Award Co-recipient Brittany Marsh is from Millville, and is completing her first year of a Bachelor of Science degree from Mount Saint Vincent University. Marsh has served in several volunteer capacities in several organizations, including the Northside Hospital Foundation, North Sydney’s Bartown Festival, Radio Telethon for the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, Ladies Auxiliary Hospital Gift Shop, and her residence committee at MSVU. She created a slideshow for reaching one million dollars event, assisted with an $80,000 fundraiser, and organized events to support the Northside Hospital Foundation’s annual fundraiser. In high school, Marsh was vice-president of student government, served in student government and various sub-committees, and was the Youth Development Champion for Canadian Blood Services. Throughout her high school years, Marsh received Honour with Distinction, and was the recipient of the highly renowned Queen Elizabeth 11 medal upon high school graduation.
Award co-recipient Mitchell Hanna from Howie Centre is a grade 12 honours student at Riverview High School, holding a 99.5% average. His volunteer experience is varied, and he has volunteered for many local community organizations, most notably the Special Olympics, where he has coached basketball and soccer. He has served on many of Riverview High School’s student committees, including student council, Interact, plays in the RHS Concert Band, and is a peer educator for the Drugs and Alcohol awareness program. Hanna participates on many teams, including the Riverview Redmen, soccer, golf, cross-country running, and has coached softball for the Malcolm Munroe Junior HIgh Girls team, and Riverview Under 12 Boys Soccer. He has won many awards, including the Marty Chiasson Memorial Award for tremendous effort and spirited leadership, science fair awards, Lieutenant Governor’s Award, bronze medal in Health Sciences at the Canada Wide Science Fair, plus local and regional awards.
The CBRM Volunteer Awards presentation is held in conjunction with the annual Provincial Volunteer Week celebration. For more information on the CBRM Special Volunteer Awards, contact the CBRM Recreation Department at 563-5510.
