LAC LA BICHE – Natalie L’Heureux, who serves as the board chair for the Lac La Biche Little Sprouts childcare society, was recently honoured and recognized for her volunteer work.
L’Heureux was nominated by Megan Warawa, director of Little Sprouts Childcare, for National Volunteer Week, which ran from April 27-May 3.
This was done through the ‘Volunteers Make Waves’ initiative put on by Lac La Biche County FCSS for National Volunteer Week. As stated in information from FCSS, during the month of April, Lac La Biche residents who knew volunteers in the community could nominate them to be recognized.
Kristen Shewchuk, a community outreach worker with Lac La Biche County FCSS, explained that each year, FCSS works with Volunteer Canada to recognize the work done by volunteers in the community.
“Since there are so many amazing volunteers in our community, this year we decided to do a spotlight on them,” Shewchuk said.
For L’Heureux, being nominated for this distinction came as a bit of a surprise, though a very pleasant one.
“It feels lovely . . . I was not expecting it . . . I really wasn’t,” she told Lakeland This Week, with a smile and a laugh. “You do so much, and you work, and you just do it because it needs to be done.”
L’Heureux has been in the role of board chair since November and wanted to volunteer because her daughter, Maizie, attends Little Sprouts. As board chair, she provides support to the organization, parents, and also helps with the services provided by the childcare centre.
Working in the position enables L’Heureux to assist parents who are navigating the childcare system. There are a lot of struggles when it comes to childcare, she explained, along with plenty of moving parts, as well as things that happen unexpectedly.
Having access to daycare, she continued, is valuable as it contributes to people in the local area being able to get to work.
“They need services to look after their kids so they can be part of the workforce here in the community, and we provide that service,” she said.
In addition to her volunteer work as board chair of the Lac La Biche Little Sprouts childcare society, and working full-time as an environmental data technician, L’Heureux also makes the time to pursue other volunteering endeavours. She lends her time and talents to being a volunteer land steward for some conservation properties.
“I do volunteer with Ducks Unlimited and also the Alberta Fish and Game Association,” she said.
It is very important for people to step up and volunteer, L’Heureux noted, because without this happening, services in the community can suffer.
“It takes people stepping up in order to make a difference, in my opinion.”
While L’Heureux felt good about being nominated for National Volunteer Week, she pointed out that the volunteer work she has done as board chair is part of a larger team effort. She gave a shoutout to the other members of the board, whom she said have been very helpful.
Warawa praised L’Heureux for her hard work and dedication. Warawa, who is new to role of director, has also received help and guidance from L’Heureux.
“Whenever we need something, she’s really supportive to us . . . She’s been a huge support for me,” Warawa said.
“I think she deserves to be recognized . . . We appreciate her so much.”
National Volunteer Week ran from April 27 to May 3.
