WESTMEATH – The Westmeath & District Recreation Association’s (WDRA) Annual General Meeting was held virtually via Facebook on Oct 19. The meeting was delayed from the typical April one because of Covid and the shutdown of the Westmeath Hall. President Brenda Grady gave an overview of happenings since the previous AGM, April 2019, including announcing three volunteer awards for 2019, three being an unusual occasion. The hall reopened for small gatherings Oct 1st.
After a four-year hiatus, the WDRA selected Bonny Johnson as its Volunteer of the Year for 2019 This long-time resident of our community, a retired nurse practitioner and founding Director of Health Services at the Whitewater Bromley Community Health Centre, is deserving of this award.
Bonny continues to serve on the Lanark Renfrew Health and Community Services Board, the Save our Scotiabank Committee, the WDRA Flood Recovery Community, the Whitewater Region Seniors and Older Adult Task Force, as well as volunteering to assist in the WDRA Kitchen through the flooding and helping to connect seniors with support through the current COVID 19 crisis.
But most of all it was her active support for the 2019 Flood victims. She has worked tirelessly to coordinate the recovery of many of the families in greatest need, working with non-governmental agencies like Samaritan’s Purse, Christian Aid Ministries and the Mennonite Disaster Services. She has also worked closely the Provincial Disaster Recovery Assistance programmers, ensuring seamless support for the victims with the greatest needs. Her leadership and undying dedication has been vital to the success of the Whitewater Recovery Committee and related challenges.
If that was not keeping her busy enough, she also stepped forward to help form the Save our Scotiabank Committee to rally community support voices to let Scotiabank know that it was not okay to desert rural Ontario. Although unsuccessful, Bonny continues to advocate on behalf of our community to make sure the transition of accounts to Cobden and the retention of our bank machine is true to their word.
Without doubt Bonny Johnson has served (and continues to serve) her community over this past year in many ways. Her efforts have been very appreciated, and Bonny deserved this recognition.
Anne Bromley was chosen the WDRA Volunteer of the Year Award for 2019. Anne has been dedicated in numerous capacities in the community over the years, more than can be counted.
Anne is tireless and generous – the two main ingredients of a valuable volunteer. Westmeath & District has been blessed to have Anne working for us in this community.
