The tenth anniversary edition of the Haut-Saint-Laurent Volunteer Awards took place on April 23 at the community centre in Saint-Anicet.
The ceremony has traditionally involved the rewarding of volunteers who were nominated by different community organizations, groups, or institutions for their dedication and generosity, culminating in the naming of a Volunteer of the Year. For the tenth anniversary, the organizing committee decided to forego some of these traditions and introduced a surprise twist.
All of the volunteers who had previously been honoured during the event’s ten-year history were invited to attend. The evening began with a reception and cocktail hosted by Alexandra Gagnon, the community development agent for the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent, and Charles Gascon, who formerly held this role with the regional government.
“Over the years, hundreds of volunteers have distinguished themselves through their dedication to the community and have been honoured in the categories of community, municipal, institutional, family, or group, and corporate volunteering,” said Gagnon.
“This event has truly become a heartfelt gathering. You can feel that in the energy. It’s a moment of collective pride, a moment that is good for the soul,” added Gascon, who then invited several special guests to address the crowd. These included representatives for Claude DeBellefeuille, the MP for Beauharnois-Salaberry-Soulanges-Huntingdon, and Huntingdon MNA Carole Mallette, as well as Saint-Anicet’s Mayor Sylvie Tourangeau, and Yves Métras, the mayor of Franklin and prefect for the MRC du Haut-Saint-Laurent.
“For the past ten years, the recognition we offer you has not simply been a tradition; it has been a duty,” explained Métras, who compared volunteering in the Haut-Saint-Laurent to one big family. “When the going gets tough, there are always volunteers; sometimes in the background, but always essential.”
Following this, a group photo of all those in attendance was taken, while preparations for the evening’s surprise continued behind folding partitions separating the community centre from the Catholic church. When these were drawn back, visitors were invited to enjoy a candlelight concert performed by musicians associated with the Montreal-based Groupe Izanto.
The backdrop to the intimate concert was stunning, with candlelight illuminating the majestic sanctuary as the cellist and violinist played classical as well as some more contemporary favourites for around an hour before the evening ended.