Volunteer Recognition Award

A presentation ceremony for the Volunteer Recognition Awards was held at Government House on Tuesday, March 27th. Her Honour, Barbara A. Hagerman, Lieutenant Governor , Honourable, Pat Binns, Premier, Province of Prince Edward Island and the Honourable, Elmer MacFadyen, Minister, Community and Cultural Affairs were present for the ceremony.

Shelley Morrison and Tonya  Gray, both parents of Sherwood community and active members of Sherwood Home and School, along with four other Islanders were recipiants of the Volunteer Award.

In January, 2005, these two Moms became friends while volunteering at Sherwood Elementary School.  These two talented individuals realized a playground was needed at Sherwood Elementary after a lot of equipment had been removed for safety reasons. Parents and school staff had been talking about building and purchasing new equipment, so these two ladies decided to make it happen. They organized the first Sherwood School Carnival in June, 2005, and raised over $20,000. Again, in 2006 and they have another carnival set for June 2, 2007. The summer of 2006 saw a community of volunteers work on the yard, build equipment and complete a brand new $120,000 playground for the over 500 students at Sherwood Elementary. The playground costs include items paid for in cash and many in kind services. Shelley and Tonya have very busy lives and the time, energy and work these two women have completed is remarkable. You will never see these ladies chair a meeting or stand at a podium but the students and community at Sherwood Elementary are very grateful for their dedication and hard work.