Volunteers Make Waves- Celebrating the 2025 Volunteer Awards
On April 30th, Perley Health celebrated the incredible volunteers who bring compassion and connection to the heart of our community. Held in the cafeteria, the Volunteer Appreciation Awards featured a live musical performance by the Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Team, and meal service by the Leadership Team wearing aprons and hairnets—an annual tradition that sees dinner served with lots of smiles.
Volunteers were welcomed by Volunteer Services Coordinator (and emcee for the evening) Rachel Stoparczyk, and listened to heartfelt speeches made by CEO Akos Hoffer, Foundation Executive Director Delphine Hasle, Board Chair Lloyd Campbell, and Foundation Chair Sheila Venman. All spoke to the theme of National Volunteer Week 2025, “Volunteers Make Waves”. It was an appropriate theme for an undeniable truth seen daily at Perley Health; our volunteers have a lasting impact on our entire community.
Special award winners of the night were Katherine Stewart (the Advocacy Award), the Ecumenical Worship Service Team (the Team Award), and Leslie Deland & Jocelyn Niven (Volunteers of the Year). Milestone pins were also awarded to 11 volunteers celebrating 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of volunteer service. Please see the list of winners and pin recipients, with special thanks and acknowledgements from the volunteer services team below.
Another highlight of the night was the annual Deborah's Gift Boutique cheque reveal-- a $30,000 donation to the Perley Health Foundation. This year's gift brings their total money raised for Seniors and Veterans to over $670,000!
To every volunteer, we thank you. Your dedication, empathy, and heart enrich all our lives every day.
List of winners and service pin recipients
Katherine Stewart – Advocacy Award
Katherine has been volunteering at Perley Health since 2008 and in the Senior Living apartments since 2019. These past six years, she has been an enormous support to a particular tenant, named Marsha. It was Marsha herself, and the entire Senior Living staff team, who nominated Kathy for the Advocacy Award. They noted how she has gone above and beyond to ensure Marsha's needs are being met. Kathy liaises with family and staff, organizes private visits for Marsha and her husband (who is now living in long-term care), assists with paperwork and provides a very supportive, listening ear whenever needed. Kathy is a true friend, an ever-present helping hand and a trusted advocate. Thank you and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
Ecumenical Worship Service Team
Congratulations to registered Perley Health volunteers David Clemis, Neil Cochrane, Safiatu Denis-Bah, Michelle Gravelle, Wib Neal, Patricia Whitridge, Rev. Paul Whynacht and Pat Yaternick. Together with three other ministers, a community musician and one Senior Living tenant, this team is recognized for creating a welcoming spiritual community at Perley Health. Each Tuesday afternoon, volunteers assist Seniors and Veterans to find their way to Lupton Hall, where they are “spiritually nourished, inspired with hope and invited into belonging” through participation in the Ecumenical Worship Service. Thank you for your consistent, loving support.
Leslie Deland & Jocelyn Niven
Nine individuals were nominated for the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award. These nominations were so moving and persuasive that the selection committee decided the award should be shared between two deserving volunteers. Leslie Deland and Jocelyn Niven are both exceptionally dedicated and devoted to the residents they serve. They are highly involved, in several activities, and truly integrated with the staff teams they support. Both are described as being incredibly competent, compassionate, empathetic and willing to help wherever is needed, always with a smile. Congratulations, and thank you, Jocelyn & Leslie!
David Burke & Madeleine McCann – 20 years
In 2005, couple David & Madelaine followed in the footsteps of fellow parishioners from Immaculate Heart of Mary. This Alta Vista church community has supported Roman Catholic mass at Perley Health for more than four decades! In addition to bringing residents to mass each week, Madelaine was one of many volunteers providing critical support in the Swab Clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the past four years, David has also helped with Friday morning exercise classes in the Rideau Veterans' Residence.
Thank you, David and Madeleine, for twenty years of dedicated service to Seniors and Veterans!
Judy Evans – 15 years
In 2009, Judy Evans followed her “Irish twin” sister, Gail Lalonde, to the gift boutique at Perley Health. They had come to know this gem of a shop while visiting their mother in long-term care. Judy, a retired special education teacher, has since contributed more than 6,000 hours volunteering in Deborah's Gift Boutique! Her current duties, as part of the shop's management team, include selecting and merchandising the beautiful giftware which is forever changing with the seasons. These curated selections, along with welcoming volunteers like Judy, led to this year's $30,000 donation from Deborah's Gift Boutique to The Perley Health Foundation. Thank you, Judy, for all your many contributions to our community.
David Cole – 10 years
David is a woodworker in the Creative Arts program. When he started in February 2015, David brought photos of the creations he made at home to his interview. That's what got him his job in the wood studio, but his sincere passion for the resident woodworking program and his amazing team spirit have kept him going. 10 years later, David continues, twice a week, to create wooden kits for residents to assemble into treasured keepsakes, while visiting the Studios. Thank you, David, for your dedication and enthusiasm!
Patricia Padmos – 10 years
Patricia started with the Ottawa Garden Club on May 1st, 2015. She continues to make beautiful gardens with other club members every growing season in the Rideau Veterans' Residence courtyards. When it's not growing season, she has worked with Creative Arts in the Pottery studio. Pat also enjoys the helping the Therapeutic Recreation team with special events. Thank you, Pat, for your year-round contributions!
Marguerite & Randy Born – 5 years
Marguerite & Randy are an enthusiastic bartending duo in the Residents' Pub. They enjoy serving and visiting with their clientele every Thursday and also support monthly Trivia Nights in the pub. This fun-loving couple have been known to help out with occasional special events and are a special treat to see when dressed for Hallowe'en! Thank you and congratulations, Randy & Marguerite, on your milestone anniversary!
Joe Cabrera – 5 years
Joe started volunteer as a porter in the Perley Hair Salon in September 2019 and remained connected despite the pandemic. In 2021, he became a member of the Spiritual Health Team. You will find him the portering residents between the Ottawa building and Lupton Hall on Thursday mornings. He also takes residents out to Medical Appointments and is a member of the Palliative Care team. Thank you, Joe, for all you do!
Jana Clarke – 5 years
Jana is a member of the Ottawa Garden Club. Along with fellow club members, she tends to the beautiful gardens in the Rideau Veterans' Residence. On several occasions, Jana has kindly stepped outside of her role as a gardener to help escort residents to off-site appointments. Thank you, Jana!
Patricia Whitridge – 5 years
Patricia is a talented pianist. If you walk past Lupton Hall on a Tuesday afternoon, you will hear beautiful notes as she accompanies the residents at the Ecumenical Worship Service. Back in 2019 when she first started, Patricia helped with Therapeutic Recreation and as a friendly visitor. During the pandemic, she also volunteered in the Swab Clinic. Patricia, we appreciate all you do!
On April 30th, Perley Health celebrated the incredible volunteers who bring compassion and connection to the heart of our community. Leslie Deland and Jocelyn Niven are both exceptionally dedicated and share the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award. Pictured above.