LONG SAULT, Ontario – The Township of South Stormont hosted their annual Volunteer Appreciation Gala on Friday, April 20 at the South Stormont Community Hall in Long Sault.
The gala event was first established in 2004 and aims to recognize the volunteer efforts from local charitable and not-for-profit organizations that have a direct impact in the community. The event was attended by 140 people that represented over 20 organizations across South Stormont, examples of those represented include the Lost Villages Historical Society, the Sports Hall of Fame Committee, the Ingleside Splash Pad Committee, Newington Canada 150 Committee, and the local Meals-On-Wheels. The theme of the evening was “Springtime in Paris” and guests were treated to French cuisine, entertainment, and an inspirational speech about volunteerism from guest speaker Danielle MacNeil of Maison Baldwin House.
The gala also provides the Township the opportunity to present the Fran Laflamme Volunteer of the Year Award to one individual in the community that has exemplified the meaning of volunteerism, recognized at the event as the recipient of the 2017 award was Mr. Ray Beauregard. Beauregard is a long-time resident in the St. Andrews West area and has also served on various terms of Township Council. His volunteer efforts reach back 5 decades working to improve a number of local associations including the YMCA, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, Beef Farmers of Stormont County, Sports Hall of Fame Committee, Children’s Aid Society, and the Long Sault Friendly Circle Senior’s Club just no name a few. He has regularly been contributing 600 hours of volunteer service on an annual basis and his impact on the community is well documented.
