SPRINGHILL, N.S. – Marion Varner was recognized for 52 years of volunteer service with the Salvation Army at the Cumberland County Volunteer Recognition evening recently held at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre in Springhill.
“I love all of what we do, and I like it mostly because we don’t do it for people to notice us. We do it because we want to do it,” Varner said. “We always have a great bunch of people to work with. “
Varner, now 80 years old, started with the Salvation Army in Springhill 53 years ago.
“I started my kids out in Sunday School, and I decided that if they went that I should be going too.”
Soon after she became a volunteer, an says all the volunteers at the Salvation Army are very reliable.
“If we need help we call them and they’ll come out and help.”
Over the past 52 years, Varner has worked with local youth through Sunday school, various youth groups and, currently, the Salvation Army After School Club. She also visits seniors in their homes and visits people at the All Saints Hospital and High-Crest nursing home in Springhill.
“We also have the food bank at the church and the Christmas kettles before Christmas,” Varner said.
How much longer does she plan to keep volunteering?
“I’ll keep doing it as long as I’m able too, as long as I can walk,” she said.
Volunteers recognized at the reception are as follows:
Marion Varner – Salvation Army
Brad Webb – Municipality of Cumberland Parrsboro Recreation
Ro-Win-Lea 4H – The 4-H Club
Brenda Rushton – Senior Citizens and Retired Pensioners Club
Wanda Smith – Nova Scotia Health Authority, Al Saints Hospital Springhill
Peter and Sharon Smith – Cumberland Y’s Service Club
Carolyn Torrie – Springhill Chamber of Commerce
Heather Trenholm – Nova Scotia Health Authority, Cumberland Health Care Auxiliary
Roberta Bell – Cobequid Chapter of the I.O.D.E.
Shirley Bidwell – Sunset Community Corporation
Donald Bird – Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre
Rodrick (Rod) Boland – Age of Sail, Greville Bay Ship Building Museum Society
John and Evelyn Bradford – Cumberland Twirlers Square Dancers
Matthew Brewer – Parrsboro Mini Basketball
Travis Bryan – Outdoor arena at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre
Tammy Casey – Pugwash Ground Search and Rescue
David Clarke – Age of Sail, The Porthole Gift Shop
Randy Elliot – Fundy Shore Archers
Scott Fancy – Cumberland Community Homes
Ethan Ferdinand – Ross Anderson PharmaChoice Teen Centre
Jennifer Moore – Springhill Elementary Home and School Association
Richard Parker – Wentworth Senior Dinner Club
John Parsons – Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre
Linda Patriquin – Wentworth Learning Centre Cooperative
Zachary Pettigrew – Outdoor Arena at the Dr. Carson & Marion Murray Community Centre
Marlene Quinn – Nova Scotia Health Authority, South Cumberland Community Care
Megan Martin – Springhill Communities in Bloom
Eric McCully – Shore Drive Community Development Association
David McNairn – Rotary Club of Amherst
Christine McNeil – Springhill Lions Club
Brooke Miller – Ross Anderson PharmaChoice Teen Centre
April Findlay – Girl Guides of Canada, Springhill Guiding Community
Lloyd Gallant – Nova Scotia Health Authority, Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre
Edward and Thelma Gilbert – Parrsboro Shore Historical Society
Earl Gilbert – Springhill Ground Search and Rescue
Rod Gilroy – Tidnish Cross Roads Community Association
Catherine Harrison – Nova Scotia Health Authority, All Saints Hospital Auxiliary
Paul Hawkes – Amherst Curling Club
Jamie Henwood – Cobequid Off Highway Vehicle Club
Kim Henwood – Springhill Baptist Church Willing Workers
Kashika Jaggi – Canadian Red Cross
Jean Francois LeBlanc – MADD Cumberland-Tantramar
Robert MacLean – Wentworth Recreation Centre
Alexandra MacLeod – Cumberland Blues
David March – United Way of Cumberland
