Over 50 volunteers representing sports, recreation and community organizations were recognized for their contributions to the quality of life and well being of Saint John citizens at a celebration held Wednesday, April 13 at the Lily Lake Pavilion.
The 2011 Volunteer Appreciation Awards recognized individual efforts in four categories: outstanding volunteer contribution in a sport or recreation organization; outstanding volunteer contribution to a community development initiative; fundraiser of the year – sport and recreation, and; fundraiser of the year – neighbourhood and community development. As well there was a corporate sponsor award.
The celebration was a joint effort of Mayor and Council, the Leisure Services Advisory Board, and the Leisure Services and Communications departments. Its purpose was threefold:
- To honour the contributions and achievements of sport, recreation and community volunteers of the City of Saint John.
- To promote volunteerism through increased recognition.
- To foster civic pride by honouring those who serve their community.
The appreciation celebration was held in conjunction with National Volunteer Week April 10-16, 2011.

Front row, left to right:
Volunteer of the Year in Community Development Nancy Savoie, Volunteer of the Year in Recreation Linda Nickerson, Volunteer of the Year in Sport Peter McGuigan, Volunteer of the Year in Community Development Gerry Hudson, Volunteers of the Year in Recreation Odette and Tim McGrath,
Back row, left to right:
Volunteer of the Year in Sport Mike Fox, Fundraiser of the Year in Community Development Dale Knox, Corporate Sponsor of the Year CBC Information Morning (Steven Webb, Hance Colburne), Fundraiser of the Year in Recreation Bill Merrifield, Corporate Sponsor of the Year (Linda Grant representing Tim Hortons),Volunteer of the Year in Sport Harold Stears, Volunteer of the Year in Community Development Blake Lambert, Corporate Sponsor of the Year J.D. Irving Ltd (James K. Irving), Volunteer of the Year in Recreation Barry Roberts
Missing:
Fundraiser of the Year in Community Development, Danny Jardine, Corporate Sponsor of the Year Tim Hortons (Darcy & Barb Murphy)
Award Recipients
Fundraiser of the Year in Recreation Bill Merrifield
Fundraiser of the Year in Community Development Dale Knox
Fundraiser of the Year in Community Development Danny Jardine
Volunteer of the Year in Sport Mike Fox
Volunteer of the Year in Sport Harold Stears
Volunteer of the Year in Sport Peter McGuigan
Volunteer of the Year in Recreation Linda Nickerson
Volunteer of the Year in Recreation Barry Roberts
Volunteers of the Year in Recreation Odette & Tim McGrath
Corporate Sponsor of the Year J.D. Irving Ltd (James K. Irving)
Corporate Sponsor of the Year Tim Hortons (Darcy & Barb Murphy)
Corporate Sponsor of the Year CBC Information Morning
Volunteer of the Year in Community Development Nancy Savoie
Volunteer of the Year in Community Development Gerry Hudson
Volunteer of the Year in Community Development Blake Lambert
Nominees
Anne McShane Bernard Brideau Bertha Boyle Betty Hitchcock Betty Lizotte Bobby Hayes Brenda McCormack Brenda Thibault Cara Miller Carol Polley Cheryl Brown
Cindy Blizzard Dorothy MacDonald | Doug Deering Dr. Shelley Rinehart Elaine Orser Ellen Sargent Erica Lane Gary Crossman Gary Lawson Haley Maillet Jim Buckley Joan Doiron
John McNamee Kelsey Forbes Leo Maloney | Lisa Betts Martha Frank Marthe Larson Haarr Michelle Irvine Nadine Richard Robert Boyce Shannon Tufts Shaundell Curran Sherman Palmer Terry Pierce Warren Tieman Wendell Dryden |