AMHERST – For 40 years Bob and Gail Janes have poured their hearts into their community and their hospital.
That effort was recognized on Saturday when the couple were presented the Cumberland Health Care Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award at the annual Foundation Dinner at Amherst Regional High School.
“Forty years ago we had an opportunity to choose anyplace in the Maritimes in which to live and we chose Amherst,” Bob Janes said after he and his wife accepted the award. “I look around and see a lot of young participating in volunteerism and it’s so exciting to see.”
Besides his work with the hospital auxiliary and the foundation, Janes has been very active with the Amherst Rotary Club, Family and Children Services, the YMCA, the United Way, the ARHS Band and Choir Association, the Amherst Golf Club and the Amherst 2000 Society to name a few.
Gail was also active with the hospital auxiliary, the United Way, the Amherst theatre scene, Victoria’s Quilts and many other organizations. She also chaired and managed the hospital auxiliary’s gift shop.
“Bob and Gail are a team. She is a breast cancer survivor and several years ago I watched them navigate that frightening stage of their lives. During that time I witnessed the love, devotion and emotion they shared with each other and I believe it reflects on the same passion they have both brought to the extraordinary volunteer service they have devoted to our community,” David Wood said in making the presentation.
The Community Distinguished Service Award was presented to the Garage Guys, a group of Amherst and area contractors who came together last fall to raise more than $72,000 for the Cancer Assistance Fund by auctioning off a garage and other services.
“For such a large team you would be amazed at how organized and effective they are. Everyone had opportunities for input, found their niche and went to work,” Mike Stack said. “They were efficient, smart and wouldn’t take no for an answer. What would take most groups months to organize these people accomplished in weeks.
“The Garage Guys were a Godsend for the Cancer Assistance Fund. It is entirely funded by donations with 100 per cent going directly to our patients and this one generous event helped us, and our patients, more than you could image.”
Accepting the award were Shelley and Rod Harrison and Elaine Skidmore from Harrison’s Home Hardware, Bill Costin from Costin Paving and Elastic Big Band, Bob McLean from R.L. McLean Construction, and Mike Allen and Tony Mattatall from Amherst Chrysler.
Unable to make it to the ceremony were Bob McLean from R.L. McLean Construction, Steve Gibson from Steve Gibson Construction, David Carter from K.L. Carter and Son, John Lake from Lake & Skinner Electrical, Dave Clarke from Dave Clarke Trucking, Peter Casey from Casey Concrete and Jason Coates from Atlantic Kia.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to retiring cancer navigator Holly Chapman.
“When not working at her day job this person puts in extra time, going the extra mile to help people who have been desperate for someone to help them when they are at their lowest,” Bacon said. “While working in the medical field, she realized that in addition to help finding their way around the system, many people need hep with all the added expense that cancer brings. The Cancer Assistance Program wouldn’t be what it is today without the volunteer time and dedication of our volunteer of the year.”
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
AMHERST – For 40 years Bob and Gail Janes have poured their hearts into their community and their hospital.
That effort was recognized on Saturday when the couple were presented the Cumberland Health Care Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award at the annual Foundation Dinner at Amherst Regional High School.
“Forty years ago we had an opportunity to choose anyplace in the Maritimes in which to live and we chose Amherst,” Bob Janes said after he and his wife accepted the award. “I look around and see a lot of young participating in volunteerism and it’s so exciting to see.”
Besides his work with the hospital auxiliary and the foundation, Janes has been very active with the Amherst Rotary Club, Family and Children Services, the YMCA, the United Way, the ARHS Band and Choir Association, the Amherst Golf Club and the Amherst 2000 Society to name a few.
Gail was also active with the hospital auxiliary, the United Way, the Amherst theatre scene, Victoria’s Quilts and many other organizations. She also chaired and managed the hospital auxiliary’s gift shop.
“Bob and Gail are a team. She is a breast cancer survivor and several years ago I watched them navigate that frightening stage of their lives. During that time I witnessed the love, devotion and emotion they shared with each other and I believe it reflects on the same passion they have both brought to the extraordinary volunteer service they have devoted to our community,” David Wood said in making the presentation.
The Community Distinguished Service Award was presented to the Garage Guys, a group of Amherst and area contractors who came together last fall to raise more than $72,000 for the Cancer Assistance Fund by auctioning off a garage and other services.
“For such a large team you would be amazed at how organized and effective they are. Everyone had opportunities for input, found their niche and went to work,” Mike Stack said. “They were efficient, smart and wouldn’t take no for an answer. What would take most groups months to organize these people accomplished in weeks.
“The Garage Guys were a Godsend for the Cancer Assistance Fund. It is entirely funded by donations with 100 per cent going directly to our patients and this one generous event helped us, and our patients, more than you could image.”
Accepting the award were Shelley and Rod Harrison and Elaine Skidmore from Harrison’s Home Hardware, Bill Costin from Costin Paving and Elastic Big Band, Bob McLean from R.L. McLean Construction, and Mike Allen and Tony Mattatall from Amherst Chrysler.
Unable to make it to the ceremony were Bob McLean from R.L. McLean Construction, Steve Gibson from Steve Gibson Construction, David Carter from K.L. Carter and Son, John Lake from Lake & Skinner Electrical, Dave Clarke from Dave Clarke Trucking, Peter Casey from Casey Concrete and Jason Coates from Atlantic Kia.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to retiring cancer navigator Holly Chapman.
“When not working at her day job this person puts in extra time, going the extra mile to help people who have been desperate for someone to help them when they are at their lowest,” Bacon said. “While working in the medical field, she realized that in addition to help finding their way around the system, many people need hep with all the added expense that cancer brings. The Cancer Assistance Program wouldn’t be what it is today without the volunteer time and dedication of our volunteer of the year.”
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
