Ruth Thompson named MOPC Volunteer of the Year

PICTOU – After decades of service to her community, Ruth Thompson has been named the Municipality of Pictou County’s Volunteer of the Year for 2026.

Warden Robert Parker presented Ruth the award during its annual Volunteer Celebration on April 21 at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.

Ruth may have spent most of her life in Plymouth, but during her acceptance speech, she acknowledged she’s a “Come From Away.” She moved to Plymouth from Edmonton, Alberta in the late 60s and says it was a bit of an adjustment going from a busy city to rural Pictou County.

Almost immediately, she began helping in the community.

“Volunteering gave me an outlet to meet people, to form life-long friendships and it gave me a satisfying sense of accomplishment,” she said. “It grounded me in my community.”

As a 30-year-old mother of four, she became a trustee of Plymouth School. When the school became surplus following the opening of Dr. W.A. MacLeod Elementary in 1974, she saw opportunity instead of decline. So she organized a meeting to form a community non-profit to own and operate the former school. For $1,500, it was theirs.

“There were scores of people who stepped forward to volunteer,” Ruth recalled. “They all shared the belief the property was worth keeping in community hands.”

 She served on the board extensively from 1977 through the mid-1980s, and again from 2009 until January 2026 during a period of rebuilding and growth.

During much of that time, she served as Secretary-Treasurer, managing bookkeeping, correspondence, scheduling and facility operations. Her strong organizational skills and steady leadership helped ensure the Community Centre remained open and active through many years of change.

Community members credit Ruth’s commitment with keeping the Centre open and thriving through decades of change. Even into her 80s, she remained actively involved, demonstrating remarkable dedication and reliability. 

Today, the Plymouth Community Centre is a fully accessible, net-zero community building. Her legacy continues as the Centre undergoes renovations to become a daycare facility opening in 2026, reflecting the lasting impact of her work.

Ruth thanked the other volunteers who helped make the Plymouth Community Centre what it is today, and the newly elected board who will continue the work she started.

 She closed with a message for younger generations:

“Get off social media. Get off your phone and get involved. You can make a difference!”

2026 Volunteer of the Year Nominees

·         Evan Baillie of Scotsburn

·         Linda Baird of Greenhill

·         Carol-Anne (Annie) Ferguson of Scotsburn

·         Ann Foote of Merigomish

·         Gord Galvin of Scotsburn

·         Gerard Halfyard of Pictou County

·         Alena Martin of Millsville

·         John “Johnny” Robinson of Hardwood Hill

·         Len Thomas of Lyon’s Brook

·         Ruth Thompson of Plymouth

·         Wayne and Amanda Van Veen of Churchville

·         Colene Williams of Barney’s River

Youth Volunteers Recognized

·         Alexis Buchanan of Pictou County

·         Karma Closet Crew from Northumberland Regional High School