Caring Canadians
Kings County siblings awarded Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers
Harley Hazelwood points the inside of his wrist.
“This is where I wear my heart,” he says. “I wear my heart on my sleeve.”
Hazelwood, manager of the Upper Room Food Bank in Kingston, and his sister, local author Shirley Soleil Day, have both been honoured with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society.
The medal replaces the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, a national honour both siblings received in recognition of their ongoing dedication to volunteerism.
“Our grandparents taught us, as well as our parents, that you help other people,” says Soleil Day.
More about Shirley Soleil Day
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Soleil Day was honoured with a Caring Canadian Award on July 1, 1997.
“I was nominated by my board. I developed an organization from a small core group of six people to a national organization of thousands,” she explains.
“It was called the Invisible Disabilities Association of Canada and it focused on people who had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, fibromyalgia and environmental sensitivities.”
As someone who lives with all three, Soleil Day felt compelled to do something to reach out to others struggling with similar illnesses.
“Back then there was no information at all,” she says.
“If I felt so isolated and alone, others did too. So that’s why I started the support group.”
She travelled throughout Nova Scotia and even flew to Ottawa to speak about the illnesses. She was the face of a locally produced cable TV show for three years, wrote several articles on the topics and devoted countless hours to answering questions.
She fondly remembers the day a one-hour seminar in Antigonish had her on her feet taking questions from the audience beyond the three-hour mark.
“What that meant to me was that people there recognized that they had somebody that could not just encourage them, but give them suggestions to help… I didn’t have any of that,” says Soleil Day.
The Aylesford resident now works part time as a counsellor, and still seizes opportunities to support people living with invisible disabilities.
“I’m doing the work but in a different way,” she says.
She says she understands how demoralizing it can be when a person experiencing lost stamina, deteriorating physical strength and a lack of support must also deal with feeling misunderstood.
In addition to helping people with invisible disabilities, Soleil Day has also volunteered to assist individuals living in poverty.
“All of us need help once and awhile,” she says.
Soleil Day was thrilled to learn she’d qualified for the Sovereign’s Medal as a past recipient of the Caring Canada Award. “It’s almost like Christmas,” she says.
More about Harley Hazelwood
Soleil Day nominated Hazelwood for a Caring Canadian Award in recognition of his work with the Upper Room Food Bank in Kingston, and wrote a book about her brother’s efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Hazelwood has been with the food bank since its incep- tion 25 years ago.
“I am the only original founder left of the group that organized the food bank,” he says.
In his role as manager of the food bank, Hazelwood says he treats people with respect and strives to offer a safe place and non-judgmental ear for those less fortunate than himself.
“I grew up poor and saw what poverty could do to people,” he says.
“I decided that if I was able to contribute and help my fellow man, I would.”
One of Hazelwood’s proudest moments stems back to a day two children decided to hold a fundraiser for the food bank.
“Two little girls had a lemonade stand to raise money for the food bank and they raised $3.87,” he recalls with a grin.
Hazelwood says food bank volunteers and supporters have a direct impact on the lives of others. The generous donations of time and support, he says, often help people navigate through life’s unexpected twists and turns. It’s music to his ears any time Hazelwood hears that a single parent who turned to the food bank for help while attending college landed a full-time job after graduation.
“I have a joyful heart in that I am able to help those less fortunate than myself,” he says.