Governor General of Canada – Chilliwack Hospice Society https://www.chilliwackhospice.org Supporting individuals and families during the dying and grieving process since 1986. Sat, 11 Jan 2025 23:54:12 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://www.chilliwackhospice.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Untitled-design-38-66x66.png Governor General of Canada – Chilliwack Hospice Society https://www.chilliwackhospice.org 32 32 Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteer Vince Merritt honoured with Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers https://www.chilliwackhospice.org/chilliwack-hospice-society-volunteer-vince-merritt-honoured-with-sovereigns-medal-for-volunteers/ Thu, 06 Apr 2023 03:55:46 +0000 https://www.chilliwackhospice.org/?p=7513 Vince Merritt (left) speakers to audience while Thrifty Boutique manager Sandy Parker looks on.

Vince Merritt (left) speaks to audience while Thrifty Boutique manager Sandy Parker looks on.

Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteer Vince Merritt received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers (SMV), awarded by the Governor General of Canada, on Wednesday, April 5 at the Thrifty Boutique. Mayor Ken Popove and Councillor Bud Mercer were present for the ceremony, along with Bob Besner, representing the Board of Directors for Chilliwack Hospice Society, and Sgt. Krista Vrolyk of the Chilliwack RCMP.

For the past 14 years Merritt has been volunteering for the Society at the Thrifty Boutique; helping with electronic repair and testing, repairing mechanical items, and welcoming and sorting items that customers have donated. He volunteered with Victim Services for the Chilliwack RCMP for 13 years prior to his time with the Hospice Society.

Chilliwack Hospice Society board member Bob Besner (right) speaks to audience with award recipient Vince Merritt at his side.

Chilliwack Hospice Society board member Bob Besner (right) speaks to audience with award recipient Vince Merritt at his side.

The SMV is the highest honour for volunteerism in Canada. To qualify for this award a person must have made significant, sustained, and unpaid contributions to their community in Canada or abroad. Nominees must have approximately ten years of volunteer service over their lifetime with one or more organizations. Significant volunteer work is work which has made a positive, lasting impact to the greater community and which brings honour to Canada.

For a more detailed description of the SMV, click here. The medal is accompanied by a lapel pin for everyday wear and a certificate signed by the governor general.

Chilliwack Hospice Society Executive Director Sue Knott and Thrifty Boutique Manager Sandy Parker presented the SMV to Merritt on April 5 after the store closed to the public in a private gathering for Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteers, staff, and invited guests.

During the award presentation Parker said, “Vince has contributed over 3500 hours in the past 14 years volunteering with the Chilliwack Hospice Society… Vince is one of the 105 volunteers here that inspire me to come to work everyday.”

View Photo Gallery

]]>