2018 Recipients
From Left: Mayor Shannon MacInnis, 2018 Volunteer of the Year Vania MacMillan & members of the Gouthro Family.
2018 Florence Gouthro Memorial Volunteer of the Year Recipient:
VANIA MacMILLAN
The annual Florence Gouthro Memorial Award is presented each year to a volunteer who exemplifies the true spirit of volunteerism. The Town is pleased to announce that Vania MacMillan has been chosen as the 2018 Volunteer of the Year! Vania began her volunteering career while in high school – coaching the junior high basketball team, peer tutoring, & participating in the Trenton Youth Centre Board. She was motivated by “the need” for volunteers. Many people cannot afford to pay for essential services and not all organizations are able to provide free services and resources. Without volunteers many programs would cease to exist – youth sports and education programs, Meals on Wheels, emergency shelters, etc. Knowing that she has been able to help someone, whether it’s a person needing a service or trying to provide a service is a wonderful feeling.
The Trenton FunFest Committee was very pleased to nominate & recognize the efforts of Vania MacMillan this year. After working with the Trenton Parks & Recreation department in 2014, Vania decided to volunteer her time with the Trenton FunFest. As a small group of volunteers, Vania has helped make Trenton FunFest possible the last few years! She has played an integral role in the Executive Committee by attending meetings, planning and volunteering at events and helping with fundraising efforts. Trenton FunFest would like Vania to know how much her help and dedication is appreciated.
Vania has also volunteered her time locally for the Children’s Wish Foundation, Pictou County Roots for Youth Society’s Coldest Night of the Year event, several Friends of Trenton Park Society events, the Multicultural Association of Pictou County’s annual Fusion Festival, the United Way, and the Life Shelter for the homeless.
While living in South Korea for 13 years, Vania volunteered for the City of Gwangju’s International Day Festival, Youth Mentor Program, and at the International Centre assisting with translating, teaching, and website development. Vania also helped out at their local orphanage, animal shelters and with their Rainbow Action March.
Vania MacMillan has proven to be a very giving, hardworking, & dedicated volunteer. She has a huge heart that is open to help anyone & everyone she can regardless of who they are or where they come from. No matter where Vania is she extends a hand to help those around her, be it in her hometown, surrounding communities or across the world! The Town of Trenton is lucky to have such a fantastic volunteer as Vania MacMillan for their 2018 Volunteer of the Year!
Congratulations to all of our AMAZING nominees this year! Thank you for everything you do for our community!
2018 Volunteer Representatives
- 397 Royal Canadian Air Cadets - Chris Walker
- Albion Boxing Club - Barry Hynes
- Communities in Bloom - Greg MacGillivray
- First United Church - Dale Watters
- Friends of Trenton Park Society - Dana Buck
- Pictou County Seniors Festival - Mary Livingston
- Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 29 - Karen Lank & Michele MacKinnon
- Steeltown Friendly Group - Sandra Williams
- Public Nominations - Al McGrath
- Trenton Fire Department - Steven Cotter
- Trenton FunFest Committee - Vania MacMillan
- Trenton Minor Ball - Robin Hatt
- Trenton Parks & Recreation - Paula & Gary Milnes
- VON of Pictou County - Jim Aucoin