Award Winners
Each year, since 1998, the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre has honoured one of our dedicated volunteers with the Eva James Award. This award was designed to recognize a volunteer who best personifies the commitment and dedication exemplified by Eva James.
Eva James was a dedicated, active woman who enthusiastically volunteered in our community for over 15 years. She passed away suddenly in 1995. Eva was one of the key volunteers who helped to form and implement our Community Resource Centre. A strong supporter of the Kanata Food Cupboard, Eva devoted a lot of her time to helping them out. She seldom missed an opportunity to attend community events whether they were things such as Girl Guide Spring Tea or a larger project such as our community Canada Day celebrations in Kanata and Bridlewood. In her capacity as city councillor, in addition to her many volunteer endeavors, Eva seized every opportunity to enhance our community. She was involved with the OC Transpo committee, establishing park areas, fighting for street intersections and safety among many other projects – big and small. Keitha Mitchell said it best "People just know that Eva gave and gave and gave".
Leona Spencer wins 2009 Eva James Award
The Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre is pleased to announce Leona Spencer as the recipient of this year’s Eva James Award. Leona began volunteering for the WOCRC’s Backstairs Attic in 1997. In September 2003 she began volunteering with the Early Years Centre – Carleton and since then, she has offered over 1,070 hours of her time to helping sustain a quality program. She has been dedicated to Wednesday mornings but flexible in assisting at other times for outings or administrative tasks.
“Both children and adult participants show interest in working with Leona, if she is absent they ask after her, showing concern for her well being,” says Terri Beeton, EYC Family Resource Worker “ One caregiver told me that a boy in her care would only come to the drop-in program to make the Scooby Doo puzzle with Leona.”
Leona has been a consistent and dedicated volunteer. She has gone above and beyond for the WOCRC since the beginning. Leona brings energy, creativity, imagination and fun to the WOCRC. She thinks about the program often bringing in books, toys and other ideas that will enhance the weekly themes.
“Leona brings warmth and incredible caring to our program, treating all as the unique individuals that they are. She gives individual attention to the children, at craft or puzzle and engages easily gaining trust with the families.” says Beeton “She is a huge asset to our program. She keeps the program running smoothly with her practical approach with enables the staff to focus on supporting the parents when required”
The Ontario Early Years Centre – Carleton is a place where parents and caregivers can get answers to questions, information about programs and services that are available for young children, and an opportunity to talk to early years professionals, as well as other parents and caregivers in the community.
If at any time you would like more information on the Early Years Centre or other programs at the WOCRC, please call (613) 591-3686 or visit our website at www.communityresourcecentre.ca or http://www.gov.on.ca/children/oeyc/
The following volunteers have been honoured with the Eva James Award:
1999 Dee Campbell
2000 Trudy Muller
2001 Mary Nute
2002 Kerri Bjornson
2003 Minoo Taherzadeh
2004 Dave Anderson
2005 J. Warner Eakins
2006 Judy Bowyer
2007 Bruce Cairns
2008 Jean-Pierre Beaulne
2009 Leona Specer
Thank you for making an outstanding contribution to the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre and enhancing our community.