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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