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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, May 24, 2012 · 10 By Brice Roy SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Darling Home for Kids volunteers honoured On May 15, the countless hours of dedication, generosity and care of the Darling Home for Kids' volunteers was rewarded. At the home's fifth annual Volunteer and Donor Recognition Event, it sought to recognize the hearts and bodies that bring the smiles to children's faces. In addition, local businesses and groups were honoured for their charitable donations to the home. "It feels incredible to recognize the volunteers who selflessly roll up their sleeves and help our organization," said Kristin Horrell, executive director of Darling Home. "It's great to be able to appreciate them and the work they do for us." Located in Milton, the Darling Home for Kids provides respite services and pediatric hospice palliative care to children from across Ontario. With five full-time staff members, the home is dependant on its more than 180 volunteers to raise funds, organize events, and of course cheer up the children. The home recognized the volunteers' efforts and the donors' generosity with dinner and an awards ceremony at Otello's Banquet Hall in Oakville. Volunteers with experience ranging from one year to 15 years were awarded certificates of recognition. Among those recognized was Oakville's Anita Boyce, a former chair of the board of directors, JAMES HOGGETT / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER darling volunteers: The Darling Home for Kids children's hospice held its fifth annual Volunteer and Donor Recognition event at Otello's Banquet Hall. Special Award recipients included, from left, Anita Boyce (Award of Excellence - Community Leadership), Liana Palmerio-McIvor (Community Fundraisers of the Year - Zonta Club of Oakville) and Maureen Lush (Angel of the Year). (2009-2011) who received the Community Leader award for her committee and fundraising work. Boyce, who has been supporting the home since it opened, reflected on how she initially perceived the home. "I have been involved for seven years. It has been an incredible experience. When I first started I thought it was a very sad place. Children that came there were very sick and some came to die," she said. "Now, every time I go up there I think it is the happiest pace on Earth. "The quality of life for the children we service is just incredible. There are so many activities for them, it's like summer camp everyday when they come," said Boyce. The most prestigious award of the evening, Angel of the Year, went to Maureen Lush for her enthusiasm and the support she provides with the annual Comfort and Joy Gala. Lush, of Oakville, who was humbled by the honour, was quick to share her recognition with her fellow volunteers. "It's very hard for me. If you could go to the home and hear some of the parents speak you would see that everyone involved is an angel," said Lush. "How they can choose just one of the 180 volunteers is beyond me. "It's a team thing. We all fit together happily and want to help the charity succeed for the families." While the event was for the most part a joyous occasion there was a sombre moment when the home recognized the efforts of 10-year volunteer Janice Silver who passed away last year. Susan Harason, a fellow 10-year volunteer award recipient, called Silver "a very dear friend" and an "integral part of the volunteer team". Also honoured were the Zonta Club of Oakville and Burlington's Nelson High School. The Zonta Club organized a Halloween car rally that raised several thousand dollars for the home. Nelson High School was behind a Christmas fundraiser, which contributed several thousand dollars as well. Both received the Community Fundraiser of the Year award. Other award recipients included Marion Quinlin from Georgetown and Todd Stewart from Mississauga who received the Big Heart award and Luanne Ellison from Ancaster who received the Excellence in Volunteer Leadership award. For more information on the Darling Home for Kids or to become a volunteer or donor, visit www.darlinghomeforkids.ca. ON PR AX NO T EMIUM 0! 8 8 SPAS ANNUAL SPRING SAVINGS EVENT · FREE Delivery & Set-up · FREE Starter Kit · FREE Deluxe Covers · FREE Clearray System · FREE Coloured Lighting SUNDANCE SPAS PLUS UP TO* $1,000 VISA CARD WITH EACH SPA SOLD 680 HARTFORD SALE NOW TO MAY 31ST RUNS W AT E R P U R I F I C A T I O N S Y S T E M 6 Person Spa, 2-Pumps and 42 Jets with Deluxe Cover. Coloured Lighting & Waterfall. Super Energy Efficient WITH CLEAR RAY NO BROMINE OR SALT NEEDED $ Starting From 99 /month 880 ASPEN Starting From · 8 person spa · 5 pumps and 66 jets · Double Aqua Terrace Waterfall · Fluidix jets and Clear Ray Sanitation · MicroUltra Filtration $ 165 /month (Winners Plaza) Trafalgar Ridge Plaza, Oakville (Millcroft Shopping Centre) Burlington 2000 Appleby Line 2379 Trafalgar Road www.thesundancespastore.com 905-315-7800 905-257-5006