Georgian Bluffs is announcing its first annual Volunteer of the Year award recipients
A release says, senior volunteers of the year are Keith Davidson, known for his green thumb and playing the bagpipes, Robert Knapp for his work supporting trails, and Ann and Clark Schneider have sponsored and resettled three refugee families since 2015, with a fourth coming soon.
Anna Zandvliet is being recognized as Youth Volunteer of the Year. She’s part of the David Suzuki Butterfly Ranger project and has established five butterfly gardens throughout the community.
Keith Davidson is a long-time volunteer in Georgian Bluffs. He has spent time gardening at Keppel Croft Gardens and Centennial Park in Big Bay, and has piped at the annual Canada Day celebrations. He has also supported the Kemble Women’s Institute Lookout, Shriners hospital fundraising, and much more.
Robert Knapp has been a trail captain for the Bruce Trail in Georgian Bluffs for over 30 years, and was instrumental in establishing the Rail Trail in Sarawak. He also volunteers as a blacksmith at Moreston Village at the Grey Roots Museum, and spent 15 years as part of the Big Brother program, among many other initiatives.
In addition to Ann and Clark Schneider resettling refugees, Ann is an active member of the Georgian Bluffs and Grey County Climate Action committees, and Clark donates garden-fresh produce to local food banks.
Anna Zandvliet works to protect and enhance the natural environment. Her butterfly gardens can be found at the at Cedar Hill Park and the Kemble Women’s Institute Lookout. She works to educate others on the importance of native plants, and has been part of the Grey Bruce Sustainability Project, Western Chorus Frog initiative, Project Serve through Guelph University, and more.
Mayor Sue Carleton says in a statment, “Each year countless volunteers devote their time, energy and expertise to enriching the community, supporting those in need, and building the connections that make Georgian Bluffs feel like home.”
She adds, “Thank you so much to this year’s recipients, and to all those who volunteer in our community.”
Nominations for the 2023 Volunteer Awards will open in October of 2023. For more information on the program, visit www.georgianbluffs.ca/volunteer.
