‘I do it for the kids’

CBS Citizen of the Year Norine Taylor recognized during National Volunteer Week

By Craig Westcott \ April 28, 2023

There’s nothing shy about Norine Taylor, and sure enough, she wasn’t stuck for words after she was named the 2022 Conception Bay South Citizen of the Year last week, but she sure looked surprised.

Taylor was one of six people nominated for the award, which was presented along with the Youth Volunteer of the Year Award at the Manuels River Centre last Thursday. Taylor’s fellow nominees included Jennifer Bent, Angie Porter, Andrea Bishop, Woodrow French and Tracy Lawrence. The nominees for Youth Volunteer of the Year were Chad Hiscock, and the recipient, Leah Casey.

The event drew a good sized crowd of volunteers from throughout CBS and was emceed by the Town’s Parks & Rec program supervisor Carla Hodder with councillor-at-large Christine Butler handing out the hardware. Margo Soucy of Cabot CBDC was the keynote speaker.

“When you volunteer, you’re making a commitment to share that most precious of resources, your time, to make life better for those who are in need,” said Butler. “It’s often said that volunteers don’t have the time, they just have the heart. We all know that volunteers choose to help others selflessly and without expectation of being recognized or rewarded.”

Butler said the Town is proud to show its volunteers just how much they are appreciated.

“Regardless of how many hours you choose to give, it’s important to know that what you do, big or small, will make a difference,” she said.

Butler noted that according to Statistics Canada, some 46 per cent of Newfoundlanders volunteer, contributing a total of 33 million volunteer hours annually. That’s about 10 per cent of the province’s Gross Domestic Product, and worth some $3.3 billion.

“Even though Conception Bay South is a growing town – the second largest in this province, in fact – we are also a close knit one,” Butler said. “And that is thanks to our volunteers who bring us all together in a variety of ways.”

That sentiment was seconded by Conception Bay South MHA Barry Petten.

“When you look at volunteers, they are the backbone of the community,” Petten said. “You don’t have a community without volunteers. People say why do you do (this) stuff? You don’t do it for fame or fortune, you’re not doing it for money. You do it because you feel it’s right. That’s what you get out of it – you feel good inside when you do volunteer work… And I commend each and every one of you.”

Keynote speaker Soucy said the first thing that comes to mind when you think about volunteering is community and growing up in a place where volunteering is important “helps shape who you are.” 

Soucy pointed to Pirate Day, which was started by the late Dave Murphy, Nevaeh’s Lemonade Stand and the Riley Mercer Toy Drive as examples of positive initiatives started by volunteers. “Huge things that start as (something) very simple (by) people with a vision,” said Soucy. “To me, that’s what volunteering means.”

That set the stage for the presentations, starting with the Volunteer Youth of the Year Award.

“This award is designed to honour the young people in Conception Bay South, who through their unpaid contributions, have helped make our community a better place to live,” said Hodder. 

She noted that like the nominees for Citizen of the Year, the achievements of the two Youth nominees were so extensive that only abridged versions could be read out at the ceremony.

“You guys have so much that you do,” said Hodder. 

The winner, Casey, volunteers with the CBS Community Gardens steering committee, and has led and participated in many of the group’s activities, said Hodder, including planting and maintenance days, the annual pumpkin stroll, tours and scavenger hunts.

“At her school, Leah volunteers with the Holy Spirit Environmental Committee, and is vice president of the Interact Club,” Hodder added. “She also lends her time volunteering with the Chamberlains Park Action Committee, the Conception Bay South Youth Advisory Committee, Chefs for Trails, peer tutoring, school council, Relay for Life, and the school’s wellness club. Leah is known to go above and beyond to help others and shows a genuine pride in volunteering.”

The other nominee, Chad Hiscock, was also a worthy contender. 

“He became a Scouts Leader in 2022 and attended the Scouts Canada Provincial Jamboree as a volunteer with the beach team where he helped oversee water activities for nearly 400 youth taking on the role with enthusiasm and maturity,” Hodder said. “He is also a volunteer with the 1st CBS Cub Scouts and took on the role of Group Youth Commissioner. Within this role he meets with other youth from across the province to facilitate youth-led changes to Scouting programming and to plan events.”

Hiscock also helps organize Queen Elizabeth High School’s Dungeons and Dragons club. “Chad is an excellent example of a youth volunteer making a difference in his community,” said Hodder.

The resumes of the six people nominated for Citizen of the Year Award which is sponsored by the CBS Lions Club, were also extensive.

The youngest nominee, Jennifer Bent, volunteers with the St. John Ambulance’s CBS Division, and coaches with CBS Soccer where she was a founder of the Star Development Program for people with exceptionalities, which she helps run with the Autism Society. She manages to do that while maintaining a stellar average at Memorial University and volunteering with the Behavioural Medicine Lab, the Academic Planning Committee for Community Health and Humanities, and other academic groups.

Fellow nominee Angie Porter comes from a family of community-minded volunteers, said Hodder. She donates time to a number of local groups including CBS Minor Softball and CBR Minor Hockey. “Despite experiencing a tragic year in 2022, Angie organized the foundation named after her son that hosts a variety of community events and brings together individuals of all ages,” Hodder noted, referring to Sammy’s Climb Higher Foundation which raises money for children whose families are struggling with the cost of registering for sports. 

Nominee Andrea Bishop is a past Scouts Commissioner known for always stepping up no matter how busy her schedule, said Hodder. “She is also a Cub Scouter and works with the 1st CBS Cub Pack A to help youths learn new skills, have fun in the program and attend youth camp. She is also a coach with CBS Minor Baseball.”

Former Mayor Woodrow French serves on the executive of Branch 50 of the Royal Canadian Legion and takes a special interest in helping local veterans and promoting mental health first aid courses. “Woodrow signed the Veteran and Community Covenant, the first of its kind in Canada,” Hodder said. “He is the president of the United Nations Peacekeepers Association of Newfoundland where he introduced the Junior Peacekeepers Award to honour students who have helped others who have been bullied.” 

French was also instrumental in helping convince the federal government to implement the first Passenger Bill of Rights, Hodder said.

Tracy Lawrence, meanwhile, has been volunteering since she was 13, said Hodder.

“Tracy was an active member of the Parents of Children with Cancer Support Group, and earned an Award of Merit in 1993,” Hodder said. “She has also been involved with the Canadian Cancer Society and the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre. She was a member of the CBS Bluefins Committee for three years and is currently a member of the Kin Club of Conception Bay South where she is president and zone deputy governor.”

Lawrence has also been a Purple Day Ambassador since 2012 and organized the Seize the Day 5 km run for epilepsy support and volunteers with the Myositis board of directors, the Grand Concourse Authority, Athletics Northeast, Winterfest in CBS and the Kelligrews Soiree. 

This year’s winner, Norine Taylor, also has a list of volunteer duties the length of a normal human arm.

“Norine Taylor is a familiar face to many in Conception Bay South and dedicates an amazing number of hours volunteering each week,” Hodder said. “Norine is a coach with Special Olympics who goes above and beyond to help athletes succeed.” 

Taylor also volunteers with the Bowl for Kids event for Big Brothers and Big Sisters and has been a member of the CBS Chapter of the Children’s Wish Foundation for over 10 years, helps with the Canadian Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days, and volunteers with the Girl Guides, CBS Minor Softball, the student councils at St. Edward’s Junior High, Frank Roberts Junior High and Queen Elizabeth High. 

“Norine’s list of volunteer involvements is extraordinary,” Hodder said, “and she inspires those around her with her hard work, passion and willingness to help others.”

Taylor, who quickly covered her face to hide tears when her name was called, said she had no idea she would actually get the award.

She started volunteering when her children William and Norah were young and has never stopped, punching in more than 50 years alone with the Girl Guides.

“I’m a volunteer true bred,” said Taylor. “I’ve been involved with many organizations. I don’t do it for this recognition. I do it because of the people that I’m volunteering for. A lot of my volunteering now has to do with kids. Recently I was involved here at Manuels River with the Easter Egg Hunt when they needed a couple of people at the last minute. And hey, it was for the kids. I do it for them, not for me… And I’m proud to say I am a volunteer here in the town of CBS. And I also volunteer out in St. John’s with Make A Wish. Actually, on Monday I’m taking a day of my vacation and heading to Bay Roberts to set up and present a wish to a child. It’s all about the end result, to see the smiles upon their faces. Each one of you here who volunteer know it’s worth a million dollars seeing their expressions, seeing their reactions. That’s what it’s all about. Thank you very much for this award.”

Hodder concluded the ceremony by reflecting again on the extensive amount of giving that each of the nominees contribute. “It’s impressive to say the least,” she said. “So, congratulations. You should all be so proud of the work and the job that you do every day… We hope that you continue what you do, have fun while you’re doing it, keep inspiring others and keep lifting your community to new heights, because that’s what you do every time you volunteer.”