LAC LA BICHE - Lac La Biche Summer Days are a time to celebrate community spirit, and that includes the volunteers who continually strive to make their community a better place to live.
On Aug. 5, during the traditional community fish fry at McArthur Place, Pat Boone Anderson, a recently retired schoolteacher, and Paul Shaw, a retired nurse, were both recognized for their volunteering endeavours by being given the designation of Citizen of the Year, while Donalda Toutant was named Senior of the Year.
Boone Anderson has been a familiar, cheerful face around the community since 1980. In addition to teaching at JR Williams High School (JAWS), she has devoted many hours to numerous volunteering pursuits. She was instrumental in starting up a former community football team, the Huskies, but has also worked closely with students on grad committees, JAWS student union, and has pitched in on local fundraising initiatives over the past 43 years.
Most recently, Boone Anderson was the driving force behind one of the most well – attended events in the community, the Festival of Trees, which takes place each November.
“My philosophy has always been about making the world a better place,” she stated. “Whether I was involved in school or community projects, or taking students to destinations around the globe, at all times, I enjoy helping others.”
The recently retired high school teacher was more than a bit surprised when she answered her phone two hours before the Summer Days parade was set to begin with the news that she had been nominated to be Citizen of the Year. A friend, Noreen Hodgins, had nominated her for the prestigious local award.
“This has been a very humbling experience for me. I had tears in my eyes all the way down the parade route, where many former students, their parents, as well as friends and acquaintances cheered me on,” Boone Anderson stated.
After retiring as a long-term care nurse a decade ago, Paul Shaw has dedicated many hours to volunteering around Lac La Biche. For the past number of years, Shaw has had a visible presence at the Stuart MacPherson Public Library where he reads books to children as part of the Rhyme Time program. In that time, he has been given the affectionate moniker as ‘Papa Paul.’
“I was a bit surprised but pleased all the same when I found out that Natalie Cloutier nominated me,” he said. “Natalie worked under my supervision one summer when she was still a student nurse. I also looked after both of her parents when they were in long term care.”
In addition to the library, this very community – minded resident of Lac La Biche can be found helping with kitchen duties at the Lac La Biche Heritage Centre or playing music at the weekly farmer’s market. He is also an avid birder.
“It feels good to win this award,” Shaw continued. “Volunteering gives me a sense of accomplishment and adds meaning to life.”
Like Boone Anderson, Toutant also received word that she’d been chosen an hour or so before the parade began, but only she was bestowed the title of Senior of the Year. In the six decades that she’s lived in Lac La Biche, Toutant has been a dedicated volunteer.
“I spent years at the Lac La Biche Agricultural Society and these days, I lend a hand wherever I can, whether that be at the Heritage Centre, the farmer’s market, or any place else,” she said. “I certainly never imagined that I would receive this award.”
During the reception, Lac La Biche County mayor Paul Reutov spoke about the important role volunteers play in the community.
“Without the time and energy provided by people like yourselves, many non-profit organizations would not exist,” Reutov stated. “Volunteers truly make a community a great place to live.”
