Dedicated St. Marys volunteer receives Sovereign’s Medal

St. Marys Mayor All Strathdee (left), friend Tom Slade (centre) and Murray Mitchell (right) after Mitchell was presented with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers at River Valley Golf Course.

By Val Thomson

Murray Mitchell, one of the most well-known residents of St. Marys, was the worthy recipient of the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers at a recent ceremony at River Valley Golf Course.

Mayor Al Strathdee presented the medal to Mitchell in front of a good-sized gathering of friends and family. The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers is a Canadian medal intended to honour volunteers who have made a significant and continual contribution to their community, either in Canada or abroad. Mitchell established the Hope For Haiti group that has helped build homes, schools, wells, feeding stations and clinics not only in Haiti but in many other countries as well. Mitchell himself went on over 40 such trips over the years.

The impact his work has had is immeasurable. Countless lives have benefitted from improved shelter, nutrition, education and health. All the ripple effects of these improvements will never be known but they assuredly exist. It is not only about improving quality of life, but the fact hundreds of people felt cared about because a group of ordinary Canadian folks, led by a kindly and compassionate man, came to help as best they could.

It is a remarkable achievement that Mitchell has been recognized for, even though he is not a man who seeks the spotlight.

London resident and longtime friend, Tom Slade, who first went on a trip to Haiti with Mitchell back in 1999, was the one who submitted his name as a candidate for the award.

Those of us who were fortunate enough to be members of Hope For Haiti can attest to all the qualities that makes Mitchell an exceptional person and volunteer. He is a good leader, very practical, an extremely talented carpenter and builder, patient, wise and generous. He was very attentive to the dynamics of the group and went out of his way to ensure everyone felt safe, comfortable and valued. He is a good storyteller and has a great sense of humour.

On most trips, even though he would put in long, hard days, he would find time to entertain the children with his magic tricks and his puppet, Gramps, who the children always got a kick out of.

For me personally, I will always be grateful and feel blessed to have such a friend as Mitchell. By encouraging me to become part of Hope For Haiti, he helped me to see the world through a whole new lens. He believed in me and enabled me to do things I never thought I would or could do. Judging by all the emotional and heartfelt words spoken at the medal ceremony, I know we all have tremendous respect, admiration and love for this man. His selfless, giving ways have set a fine example and have made the world a better place.