Page 26, The Community Press, Quinte Edition, April 23, 2004 And the award goes to ... the lady in the polka dotted clown suit “I come from a family of volunteers,” she said simply. —" _ by Erin McCracken Belleville - If you know Verna McLel- Jan then you wouldn’t have batted an eye over the fact that she was wearing a green and white polka dotted clown suit lete with aes clips in her white curly hair when she accepted the 2004 Ruth Burrows Volunteer Award. It was really only fitting since she wanted to do ie part—as usual—and entertain the children at the seventh annual Volunteer Celebration held at the Dick Ellis Arena in Belleville last Saturday afternoon. Whil volunteer work she has done since she first came to live in Belleville 17 years ago, McLel- lan has been helping a from such a those occasions. But the family’s photo albums tell the The 63-year-old was only two years old when one particular photo was taken. She had gone with her mom to help sort socks. as part of the relief effort for the World War Volunteer Award for her long-time and ongo tributi local ity. The award dn't resist dressing up to delight the ded th nth held at the Dick E cis? ame in eel Clown applies some face paint to Happy the award. a volunteer manager for the centre’s Il. “I come from a family of volunteers,” she said simply. Not one to hog ee deri McLellan And she didn’t accept the award alone. volunteer program. She also helps out “Today my name is the name onthe tro-_ with the centre’s children’s programs took to the stage politicians also Regneei there for the work they have provided to their com- munities. She said they ly started out by volunteering and only now they get paid for what they do. “But they still _ McLellan is also very active at St. Mat- and friendly sick that everyone knows thew’s nes Church in Belleville and her by. They also know her by the long has been ever since she moved here. She list of volunteer activities she engages in within her community. She’s been school, serves on the church council, vis- on the board of directors for the First: a homcban peoplescee a Phy,” i said. “That means I rep- eae resent you.” H are or available to us.” she told the Adventure Child Development Centre church committees and chronicles local crowd that had gathered for the presenta-S) i in Belleville for 12 years and she’s alsoSevents for the United mine i Observer McLellan also | | nae pec in | “Itsendless*she <sS Random Acts 4 | | said ofthe amount ~~, Ki Week, of volunteer work raf organizes the an- that is available in, | ee ee os nual children’s the local commu- dults” M ane event, United nity, That's partly sth an a s aD. We're Awesome | what inspires her i and is a board to. talk a Grade The ee that member of Quinte 8 students in Bel- DOW. Sane Vocational Support everyspring == Mame ira i y Services, Even’the and let them know | piece is pe a night before the the opportunities pees ne volunteer celebra- ey can part : yreaeks Bence Ge: tion she was at the in as they enter “the aes Belleville Wal- high school and artis eater Mart selling raffle are faced with 4 ees oe 3 tickets to help raise filling 40 hours ae money for the First of community Seay a Adventure centre. | service. “They s