Ed Kennedy named 2025 Volunteer of the Year

PICTOU - River John resident Ed Kennedy is the 2025 Municipality of Pictou County Volunteer of the Year.

Kennedy, along with other nominees and community groups, was honoured during a Volunteer Appreciation Event at the Pictou County Wellness Centre on April 29.

“Our volunteers are the heartbeat of our community,” said Warden Robert Parker. “They are what keep our fire departments, community halls and other organizations going. Everything is dependent on those volunteers.”

That’s why he believes it’s so important to recognize their efforts.

“It’s a real pleasure for our municipality to be able to sit down with a good group of them to show our appreciation on behalf of all our residents for all the work they do all year,” Parker said.

For his part, Kennedy was shocked to hear his name called as the winner.

“I’m just very honoured,” he said.

Kennedy has spent much of his life volunteering with various groups but has been particularly busy since retiring.

Kennedy has been a dedicated volunteer with the Municipality of Pictou County’s Climate Change Awareness Committee since it was first formed five years ago and is now Vice Chair.

He leads the Climate Action Subcommittee and is helping set goals for the MOPC to reduce its carbon footprint. He has recruited others to be part of the committee, organized tree plantings and giveaways and also took part in public meetings for the MOPC to get public feedback on climate initiatives.

In addition to all that, Ed has also served as chair of the Steering Committee for Habitat for Humanity, Pictou County and is on the board of directors for the River John Pickleball Club.

Parker said the Municipality is particularly grateful for how Kennedy has helped with climate change initiatives at the MOPC.

“He moved it from just sitting there talking to actually doing something. He’s a doer and he causes things to happen.”

Kennedy credits his mother for instilling the values he brings to his volunteer efforts. He was just six years old when his father passed away.

“My mom sat me down in front of her and she said ‘Eddie, your father has passed away and you’re the man of the family now. You have to be brave,’” he said.

That stuck in his mind ever since and he’s felt a responsibility ever since to help however he can.

He said the climate initiatives were particularly meaningful for him, because he wants to protect the environment for his grandchildren. Being able to help with the Habitat for Humanity homes has also been fulfilling for him.

Other nominees for Volunteer of the Year were:

Dominic Boyd

Caribou resident Dominic Boyd has been volunteering most of his life in one capacity or another. He’s known for volunteering with the Pictou West Health Board, the Mental Wellness Roundtable and the Alzheimer’s Society, to name just a few.

He holds a monthly support group in Pictou for caregivers and in February, started a Memory Cafe in the county for those who have dementia and their partners. He also raises over $4,000 each year for the annual Alzheimer’s Walk.

In addition to all that, he’s helped build two Habitat for Humanity houses in Pictou County.

Claudette Campbell

Thorburn resident Claudette Campbell has been volunteering for most of her life, but in particular since retiring in 2010.

She currently volunteers at Valley View Villa and the Aberdeen Hospital.

The residents at Valley View Villa treasure every moment they get to spend with Claudette, who helps with Birthday parties, field trips and community events. She has hosted afternoon gatherings with food and fun for groups of residents at her cottage in Egerton.

While volunteering at the Aberdeen Hospital Gift Shop, Claudette could always bring a smile to your face with her own smile and warm laughter.

Jeff Dewtie

Thorburn resident Jeff Dewtie has volunteered in his community for over 20 years.

He learned the value of volunteering from his grandfather who was a founding member of the Ivor MacDonald Memorial Arena.

Jeff has played important roles with the East Pictou Rural Fair, District 13 Recreation and Planning Commission and the Ivor MacDonald Memorial Arena.

Jeff is co-lead of the logistics team for the East Pictou Rural Fair -This position includes all the heavy lifting. Jeff is one of the first to show up and leaves only when all work is completed.

Amy Fraser

River John resident Amy Fraser has built a reputation as someone who helps out in her community.

Amy goes above and beyond for her community and the organizations she belongs to. Whether it’s fundraising, advertising, cooking, or working, she can be counted on to help.

She is a member of the River John Festival Committee, River John Fire Auxiliary and the Royal Canadian Legion.

Just last September, Amy led a benefit for a volunteer firefighter who lost his teenage son in a tragic fire, raising more than $10,000. In December, she participated in a gift drive for local residents and other isolated residents.

Lorrie Fulton

Plymouth resident Lorrie Fulton made an immediate impact when she joined the Ladies Auxiliary of the Plymouth Fire Department.

Lorrie helps out however she can at any event taking place at the Plymouth Fire Hall.

She is known to jump right in no matter what has to be done: peeling vegetables, slicing and preparing meat, setting tables for banquets or dishing out food.  She is always willing to bake when needed. And on top of that, she is a good organizer.

“She is an asset to the Ladies Auxiliary for sure,” her nominator said.

June Hill

Lyon’s Brook resident June Hill has been a dedicated volunteer with the Pictou and Area Garden Club, Lyons Brook Women’s Institute and the Rotary Club of Pictou.

June has been a member of the Pictou and Area Garden Club for 10 years and was Junior Gardener Project Manager for the past four years after several years as a judge.

She is also a member of the Lyons Brook Women’s Institute who works alongside the Garden Club each September at the Pictou North Colchester Exhibition.

June has also helped with costumes for the Rotary Musicals for over 20 years.

Cathy Lavers

Rockfield resident Cathy Lavers has been a 4-H Leader for over 30 years.

Cathy serves on various committees within the 4-H community, but her leadership on the Rally Committee is legendary, her nominator said.

Cathy has held positions of Vice President, President and Past President with Pictou County

4-H Leaders Council. She has also been the General Leader of the Scotsburn 4-H Club for over 25 years.

One of her biggest passions is public speaking, and she has helped foster many National Award winners with her dedication. She is also a big advocate for supporting and buying local food.

Raina McDonald

Scotsburn resident Raina McDonald began volunteering in the community about 10 years ago.

Raina is the person responsible for putting forward the idea of building a Community Food Forest based in permaculture and addressing food insecurity leading to the establishment of the Scotsburn Community Food Forest in 2020.

Throughout her five years as the Scotsburn Food Forest Coordinator she has led the charge turning a grassy area at the Scotsburn Trailhead Park into a thriving food forest with more than 40 varieties of edible and medicinal plants.

She also volunteers with the Scotsburn Recreation Club, Pictou County Seed Collective and West Pictou Girls Soccer.

Shelley MacDonald

Ardness resident Shelley MacDonald has been a dedicated volunteer since she moved to the community.

Shelley serves on the Lismore Community Centre board of directors and never misses a meeting. She volunteers at every event at the hall and is always ready to lend a helping hand. Shelley also contributed significant time and talent to the inaugural B0KIG0 Awards that took place in the Fall of 2024.

She is known in particular for her work with youth which can be seen in the Lismore Summer Recreation program as well as in the YouthLEADarts program - that would not exist without Shelley’s time, talents and expertise.

Beulah Martell

Bridgeville resident Beulah Martell has given more than 40 years of volunteer service to her community.

Beulah has been involved in all activities at the Bridgeville Community Club, helping with teas, card parties, Bridgeville Hall Days and any other events hosted at the hall.

Until this year she served as president, helping to keep the hall open. She and other volunteers were most proud of the new addition of a kitchen and washrooms.

While no longer president, Beulah remains a part of the calling committee.

Debbie Ratcliffe

Egerton resident Debbie Ratcliffe has been volunteering for many years.

Some of the groups she has been involved with include the Old School Cooperative Merchants Ltd., Merigomish Area Recreation and Social Association, District One Development Society, Palliative Care Society and Merigomish United Church.

While in Merigomish, she helped initiate the Nourishing Communities Program, which assists disadvantaged families and individuals in purchasing fresh food from local farmers in the community.

Recently, Debbie has provided special care and assistance to elderly friends and community members.

“She is truly an earth angel working selflessly for those needing care,” her nominator said.

YOUTH VOLUNTEERS

Carly Barsness

Ever since she started high school at Northumberland Regional High School, Carly Barsness has volunteered to make her community a better place.

She volunteers with the NRHS Karma Closet, a student-led organization that provides students in need with free clothing, food and hygiene products.

In recent years, she has served on numerous committees at school and has been an ambassador for the Nova Scotia International Student Program.

Carly also volunteers at Valley View Villa. Through card games, conversations, leisurely walks and laughs she has formed meaningful bonds with the residents.

Mira Dewar

Poplar Hill resident Mira Dewar is a Grade 12 student at Northumberland Regional High School.

Mira has been volunteering with Pictou County 4-H for more than five years. She has held various executive roles within 4-H, including Secretary for Council, Club Executive, Awards Committee Member and Co-leader of Pictou County 4-H Seniors Member Club.

In addition to 4-H, she’s also a volunteer junior firefighter with the Scotsburn Fire Department, works at Home Hardware and plays hockey.

“Mira’s strength is connecting with younger members and encouraging them to try new things,” her nominator said.