Nine Sask. residents awarded Volunteer Medal

Nine Saskatchewan residents were recognized Tuesday for their “spirit of community commitment” as recipients of the 2021 Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal.

The awards were presented during a ceremony at Government House. The recipients are:

■ Noëla Bamford (Regina): With volunteerism spanning five decades, she has served with the YWCA, Regina Symphony Orchestra; Juventus Choir and Prairie Chamber Choir, Canada Summer Games, Royal Red Arabian Horse Show, Girl Guides, and the Health Arts Society of Regina.

■ Bob Bjarnason (Churchbridge): He has active with the Lions for more than 43 years, coached minor hockey and minor ball, served on the hockey arena's board of directors and led the community's seniors hockey team. He also donates time to the local cemetery committee and to Churchbridge in Bloom.

■ Velma Harasen (Regina): She has served as a local parish council president, provincial president and national president of the Catholic Women's League, and as the North American vice-president of the World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations. She has volunteered with the Regina Symphony Orchestra, Santa Maria Senior's Home, Canadian Club, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and organizations dedicated to palliative care, women's shelters and refugee settlement.

■ Major (Ret'd) Keith Inches, CD (Regina): Many groups have benefited from his efforts, including a youth marksman club, churches, Canadian Army (Reserve), Royal United Services Institute, Royal Canadian Artillery, Royal Regina Rifles Regiment, Royal United Services Trust Fund, Air Cadet Squadrons, St. John's Ambulance, U of R Alumni Association, Duke of Edinburgh's Awards, and Saskatchewan Military Museum.

■ Ishita Mann (Saskatoon): She founded Youth Helping Youth Saskatchewan Inc., and volunteers for Jack.org, the Amal Club and Arts and Sciences Students Union. Mann previously volunteered with Battleford Union Hospital, Boys and Girls Club and Meals on Wheels.

■ Captain (Ret'd) Cathy Sarich, CD (Saskatoon): She served as a cadet squadron captain for 17 years, serves with the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, Canadian Forces Liaison Council and previously with 4-H Saskatchewan Youth Leadership. She has also volunteered with various sports groups and events as well as Habitat for Humanity, Children's Hospital Foundation, United Way and Heart and Stroke Foundation.

■ Bob White (Rosetown): He has volunteered with 4-H Club, high school volleyball, Rosetown Museum, Tea House and Harvest Family Festival, Seedling Adventures Community Garden, Citizens on Patrol, Emergency Measures Organization, Rosetown Youth Drop-in Centre and the Sun West School Division's mental health and addiction awareness programs for youth.

■ Joyce Willick (Spiritwood): She was the local arena's caretaker and Zamboni driver for almost 40 years, and is a member of the Spiritwood Skating Club. She was the co-ordinator for the Spiritwood tourist booth.

■ Elaine Wirtz (Wadena): She has dedicated herself to vulnerable populations in her community for more than 40 years, including Mallard Diversified Services Inc. and Wadena Housing Authority.