United Way Community Builders honoured at City Hall
Posted Mar 21, 2012 01:44:05 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Wednesday at City Hall the United way unveiled a plaque honouring the 36 recipients of the 2011 Community Builders Awards. The Ottawa Senators Club won the CBA of the year award and their photo rests at the top of the brand new plaque on the wall of Inspiration that hangs in Jean Pigott Place.
The United Way Community Builder awards are given away annually to people in Ottawa making a difference. Among the award winners in 2011 were Louise and Bruce Bourbeau who have been volunteering for more than 15 years with St. Patrick’s Home, a long-term care facility.
They found out about the award at their 50th wedding anniversary last October among family and friends. Louise said it was a great surprise and a chance to celebrate with family and friends.
“I’m honoured, really, and humbled to be one of 36 volunteers who work in the community for the benefit of the people, it’s mind-boggling,” she said.
Her husband Bruce says he’ll keep volunteering as long as he’s health.
“We have a responsibility to give back,” he told 1310News.
Their names join the more than 700 already adorning the Wall of Inspiration and Mayor Jim Watson, an award winner back at the time of amalgamation, said there are thousands of volunteers who deserve to be recognized.
“Slowly but surely we’ll get to them all, but this is a great initiative on the part of the United Way to say thank you to people who aren’t looking for honours or awards or plaques but they do it because it’s the right thing to do,” he said.
Jan Dube and his brothers in the band the Brothers Dube won the award for their work raising over $150,000 for Haiti.
He told 1310News he was glad they came today but he wants more than anything to get started on their next project.
“We’re going down to Haiti to film a video to show in other schools in Canada of, like, how kids live over there in Haiti. So, like, it’s not just like we’re just raising money and we’re sending it to Haiti, we’re actually going to go to Haiti and actually experience it,” he said, adding he’s proud of the difference they’re already making.
His brother Liam said it is a start but the only way they’ll truly make a difference is if they inspire others to take action.
