COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Celebrating community involvement with Platinum Jubilee medals

Volunteering is an important part to the growth and health of a community. Towns, cities, and RM’s thrive when people give of their time to make them a more desirable place to live. Even the small things, such as picking up trash in the park, giving a ride to a neighbor, or bringing treats to those in a personal care home, will have a butterfly effect. These little acts of kindness will inspire kindness in others. The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal is meant to award these virtues and acts of service, as it is based on the example Her Majesty set for us.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was a perfect example of what it means to serve for the betterment of the community around you. Her entire life was dedicated to serving the people of the Commonwealth. She lived a life of quiet service, aiming always to be a bastion of strength for people to look towards. It is this example of dedication to the people of their community, serving without expecting anything in return, that is celebrated with the presentation of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal Awards.

For the RM of Springfield, I presented the awards to former Mayor Tiffany Fell, Gerald Palidwor, and Bev Zarazan. For the RM of Ritchot, the awards were presented to Mayor Chris Ewen, Shaun Crew, and Janine Boulanger. Finally, the awards for the Town of Niverville were presented to Mayor Myron Dyck, Shirley Hoult, Libby Hanna, and Gordon Daman. I am very pleased for the opportunity to honour the people who have helped make our communities what they are today.

There are many tangible ways in our communities that actions taken by these recipients have benefited us. The Niverville CRRC, the Dugald Estates Complex, and the Grande Pointe Homeowners Association are just a few examples of hard work and time that these recipients have put into making their communities a better place to live, work, and play.

Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, many organizations are in desperate need of volunteers to help. Please consider taking some time to help out our communities in some capacity, so they can continue to be the thriving and growing places they are.

The work I value most is serving you and your family as your MLA for Springfield-Ritchot. I welcome any questions or comments by email to Ron@RonSchuler.com or by mail to Box 150, Oakbank, MB R0E 1J0.