FROM THE BRANCHES
FROM THE BRANCHES
NEARTA Outstanding Volunteer Award BY PAUL BOISVERT
Larry Lambert and Eileen Vallee
On December 9th at the NEARTA Annual Christmas Dinner meeting held in Bonnyville , branch president Larry Lambert presented the 2014 ARTA Volunteer Award to Eileen Vallee of St . Lina .
Her own words provide a good understanding of why Eileen Vallee was selected by NEARTA to be a recipient of the ARTA Award for 2014 . “ Volunteering seems to be one of those things that just happens … sometimes with coercion … and often lasts for years … some enjoyable … some things you realize will not get done if you don ’ t do it .”
Eileen ’ s career of volunteerism started early in her life when at the age of twelve , the horrors of World War II changed forever the meaning of life in her native England . Her knitting skills served her well to knit socks for members of the armed forces . After the war , Eileen became a teacher , which led her into numerous other volunteering endeavours both in and out of the school setting . Always a warm , caring person , it followed that helping people with special needs — both adults and children — was only natural for her . Her deeply entrenched love of her church made it easy for her to volunteer within that context , a service that continues to this day .
Eileen came to Canada in the early 50s when a dire shortage of teachers existed to handle the surge of baby boomers . Her intended one-year adventure has lasted for sixty years . During her teaching career , her great sense of compassion for those in need drove her to bake goods for her students so that every day , her students would be able to share something nutritional . Not only were there mitts in the winter for those who had none , Eileen would knit toques for every student in her class . By beginning the celebration of Heritage Day in her school , she was able to create activities and make costumes for children from various ethnic backgrounds to proudly learn and share something of their heritage .
In retirement , Eileen has made and distributed hundreds of quilts for children and adults to places where there is need , from the Stollery Hospital for Children to hospices for the homeless . She has made and distributed layettes for unwed mothers who have no family support . Many of her quilts and other items have gone to the Dominican Republic . In 2014 , when the Catholic Parish of St . Lina celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding , Eileen was honored for her continuous service to the parish .
In Eileen ’ s words , “ Volunteering comes in all shapes or forms , and I ’ m sure it will keep me busy as long as the Good Lord leaves me here .”
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