Youth of the Year Bishop-Frizzell helped grow Leo membership by 1000 per cent in a month

By Mark Squibb/April 28, 2022

In light of National Volunteer Week, the Town of Conception Bay South held an awards gala at the Manuel’s River Interpretation Centre Monday night to celebrate community volunteers and name the Youth Volunteer of the Year and Citizen of the Year.

“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are well known for giving back, and that is true here in our town as well,” said CBS Mayor Darrin Bent. “Our volunteers really stepped up during the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to do so.”

Bent was joined by members of the CBS Lions Club to present the awards.

The Youth Volunteer of the Year Award went to lone nominee Hope Bishop-Frizzell. President of the Conception Bay South Leo Club, Bishop-Frizzell grew the club’s membership from two to 20 in a single month. She also organized various collection drives, coached youth sports, and tutored her peers.

The Citizen of the Year Award, for which there were six nominees, was awarded to Eric Hart.

He has volunteered in CBS for over 40 years. He is the founder and head coach of the Special Olympics Softball Program, and is also the co-founder, president, and head coach with the Canadian Inclusivity Squash Program, the first of its kind in Canada. Hart was also founder, president, and head coach of the CBS Junior Squash Program for 19 years.

Hart was unable to attend the award show because of a volunteer commitment. Councillor Christine Butler spoke a few words in Hart’s absence.

“I’ve never seen a man more dedicated,” said Butler, who extolled Hart for his patience and perseverance.

Also nominated were Eileen Kavanagh, Clifford Fowler, Robert Squires, Ryan Peach, and Norine Taylor.

Kavanagh has faithfully volunteered for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 50 for the past 15 years, and has served as President, Treasurer, photographer, and more.

Fowler begun volunteering as an 11-year-old with the Foxtrap Church Lads Brigade (CLB) Company. He has been volunteering with the CLB ever since (over 60 years’ worth.) He helped form the Topsail CLB Company, which he was responsible for, in 1988. He also volunteers with the St. John the Evangelist Church in many different capacities.

Squires is a familiar face around Conception Bay South and can be often seen cleaning Fowler’s Road and the surrounding roads. Squires sweeps debris, picks up garbage, and does whatever else needs to be done to keep the roads looking good.

Peach volunteers with a number of different organizations, including the CBS Minor Softball Association, the CLB, Society of the United Fisherman, CBS Paradise Regional Foodbank, All Saints Anglican Church, the Manuel’s River Interpretation Centre, and more.

Taylor has assisted with the Newfoundland Chapter of the Make a Wish Foundation for several years, amongst other volunteer efforts over the years.
The Citizen of The Year award was started by the CBS Lions Club in 1971.