Local residents receive recognition
Longtime volunteers honoured at Plymouth Fire Hall
They are people who throw their time and energy into community activities without asking for anything in return.
“So many communities are full of unsung heroes,” said Cape Breton native and senator Mike MacDonald, as he spoke at the Plymouth Fire Hall on Jan. 12, where he had the honour of presenting Senate 150 Anniversary medals to Joanne Cumminger, Allan Murray and Anne Emmett.
“These medals give us the opportunity to recognize them.”
MacDonald had reached out to local MLAs Karla MacFarlane several months ago, Tim Houston and Pat Dunn, asking them to nominate a person from each riding.
With an estimated 70 people in attendance, all three MLAs were on hand for the medal presentations, as was Central Nova MP Sean Fraser, who said he has “the pleasure of representing people who work to make their communities a better place.”
Following is a short bio on each medal recipient:
Joanne Cumminger
Cancer patient navigator with the Aberdeen Palliative Care Society, co-ordinates activities at Plymouth Fire Hall, helps coordinate numerous local support groups in Pictou County.
Anne Emmett
Serves, or has served in the past, with the Pictou Lobster Carnival, Hector Quay Society, Pictou County Tourist Association, chairperson of DEANS (Destinations Eastern and Northumberland Shore), Pictou County Chamber of Commerce, founded Pictou Business & Marketing Society, founded Clean Pictou Air.
Allan Murray
Treasurer at Aberdeen Hospital Auxiliary; volunteers at First Presbyterian Church in Stellarton, coordinates Volunteer Income Tax Program in Pictou County, serves on Stellarton Homecoming committee, involved with Warm Hearts in Westville (“and I might shovel a driveway or two,” he says with a grin).