Stratford volunteer recognized with provincial award

A ceremony was held recently to honour Stratford’s Dianne Walkom with the June Callwood Award, recognizing her outstanding volunteer work and her many hours of contributions to the Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth Palliative Care Team. Her award came during a gala event recently in Richmond Hill, from two representatives that made the presentation on behalf of Hospice Palliative Care Ontario.

By: Gary West

There are a number of local residents in the Stratford and Perth County areas who go above and beyond as a volunteer to help those in need and are recognized for the energy they use to help others.

One of those would be Stratford’s Dianne Walkom.

This high energy and always-positive latest recipient of the prestigious June Callwood Award recognizes what it is to be an outstanding volunteer in helping anyone in need, wherever they may be.

Walkom was nominated by the Stratford-Perth Hospice Foundation this year for the award, which is one of Ontario‘s highest honours to recognize outstanding volunteer contributions to organizations they continually help out.

Walkom has done incredible work with the Hospice Palliative Care Unit at the Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.

Pippa Elliott from the foundation said that since the day the hospice opened its doors, Walkom has been a familiar and welcoming presence at the reception desk and also offers her help with co-ordinated fundraising events. She brings warmth, compassion and plenty of laughter to everything she does.

The communications and marketing coordinator for the foundation, Chelsey Gilchrist, also stated that Dianne embodies the value of hospice and has made a lasting impact on the organization and the community she continues to live in.