Three citizens are being recognized for their tireless contributions to the community with Owen Sound’s annual volunteer awards.
In a pre-recorded presentation played during city council’s meeting on Monday, brothers Thom and Pat McDonough of Annan accepted as co-winners the city’s 2021 Volunteer of the Year award. Owen Sound also recognized Jan Chamberlain as the Senior of the Year.
“Our community would not be as amazing a place to live without all of the volunteers that make it all happen,” says Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy, who presented the volunteer awards alongside Community Services Committee Chair Coun. Marion Koepke. “So many citizens provide their time, their insight and a helping hand, all while expecting very little in return. We recognize these award winners annually, but we certainly should acknowledge the efforts of our community volunteers more often throughout the year.”
Pat McDonough has volunteered with Owen Sound Hunger and Relief Effort (OSHaRE) for the past eight years, while Thom has been involved with the organization for six years. OSHaRE serves up hot meals daily for those in need in the community from its location on 3rd Avenue East.
“When the pandemic hit, both men jumped on board to help out at OSHaRE, volunteering six to seven days a week for up to nine hours a day,” Boddy explains. “They’ve both served over 1,700 hours over the past year and bring their own strengths to the team at OSHaRE.”
Sandy Barfoot, who nominated Pat and Thom for the award on behalf of OSHaRE, says the organization recently fed more people in one month than what it had fed in almost half a year previous to the pandemic. She says Pat and Thom were there alongside OSHaRE Executive Director Colleen Trask-Seaman every step of the way for “months and months” to help ensure those in need received meals.
“Just so people in our community, people they didn’t even know, who were hungry, could be fed,” Barfoot says.
Thom has also volunteered with the Scenic City Order of Good Cheer and the Trinity Annan United Church. Pat has also contributed his time to Meals on Wheels Owen Sound and North Bay for the past five years, and also spends time volunteering with the First United Church.
Thom says he was greatly honoured to receive the award: “It’s really nice to be recognized, but I have to say that the volunteer work is all being part of a team … and my thanks to the others who are part of the team that have allowed us to do the work that we have.”
Pat also expressed gratitude for the recognition: “I’m pleased to accept it from the city and on behalf of all the other volunteers and OSHaRE staff that make our team work so well.”
SENIOR OF THE YEAR
The city also presented Jan Chamberlain with Owen Sound’s 2021 Senior of the Year award during the pre-recorded video showed at Monday’s council meeting.
“Jan Chamberlain is a lifelong committed resident of Owen Sound and started volunteering years ago when her children were young,” Boddy says. “Jan has the ability to make connections and gather community support for all of the projects she’s involved with.”
Chamberlain has spent years involved with several community organizations, including: Community Foundation Grey Bruce (1994-present), Bluewater Association of Lifelong Learning (2004-present), Active Lifestyles Centre Grey Bruce (2009-present), Owen Sound Municipal Non-Profit Housing (2010-present), Council On Aging Grey Bruce (2014-present), and the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre (2014-present).
“I can honestly say that this town has created all the opportunities for me to volunteer,” Chamberlain says. “I call it my lifelong learning.”
Owen Sound has been recognizing local volunteers annually since 1975.