Volunteer honoured for 29 years service with Children’s Wish Foundation

A woman who has been volunteering with Children’s Wish Foundation for more than 29 years in the Yarmouth area, serving as a volunteer and sub-chapter co-ordinator, received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers recently. The medal celebrates people who make significant contributions to their community and have a positive impact on the lives of others.

Jean Doucette has been part of making 60 heartfelt wishes come true.

She’s been instrumental in all aspects of Children’s Wish, including organizing and planning events, raising funds, co-ordinating volunteers and bringing the community together to grant wishes.

She can recall the very first wish that she was part of like it was yesterday.

She was known as “The fairy that gives wishes.”

Cheryl Matthews, Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada regional director, Atlantic region, says Doucette told her that on days when she gets tired or discouraged, she remembers, as clear as a bell, the words from a very special wish child: ‘ The best day of my life was when I got my wish.’

This motivates her to keep giving,” said Matthews.

In addition to the many fundraising events that Doucette coordinates - from Princess Tea Parties to Wishmaker Walks - she and her volunteer family have always been influential to the magic of Wishnic.

“Wishnic holds a special place in Doucette’s heart as it’s a chance for her to reconnect with the families she has come to care so deeply for over the years,” said Matthews.

Doucette’s medal was presented at Upper Clements Park because she’s been organizing Wishnic for 15 years since it began.

All the Wish families in Nova Scotia are invited to spend the day at the park free.

“The park supplies the bracelets and the barbecue so Children’s Wish thought this was the ideal place to present the medal,” said Doucette.

Matthews says Doucette holds a special place in the hearts of those involved with the foundation. “We’d like to take this opportunity to celebrate Jean for her dedication, contribution, and hard work over the many years she has positively represented Children’s Wish in her community.” Sam Barnes, manager Upper Clements Park, presents Jean Doucette with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for her 29 years of volunteer service with the Children’s Wish Foundation.