Thérèse Casgrain Volunteer Award - Recipients

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2006 Recipients

Past Recipients

Melvin Boutilier

Melvin Boutilier was born on January 29, 1928 in Seabright, Halifax County, Nova Scotia. For over 45 years Melvin has volunteered to help make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged adults and children in his community. He was recognized for his contribution to his community with several awards, including Volunteer of the Year for Halifax Regional Municipality.

In 1983 Melvin Boutilier founded the Parker Street Food Bank which later became the Parker Street Food Bank and Furniture Bank, an organization to help provide both food and furniture to low income families. In partnership with Nova Scotia Community College, he established a Skills Development Training Center and a Youth-at-Risk Employability program. Among his many achievements, Melvin has created other programs such as a crisis emergency fund for people who do not qualify for social assistance. He organized and operated a club in the St. Margaret's Bay area to give teens an opportunity for positive life style development.

Melvin Boutilier's volunteer work has helped to fulfil his childhood dream to help others and whenever possible, help them to be self-sufficient.

Marlene Bryenton

Marlene Bryenton was born on September 21, 1950 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. She has dedicated over 39 years to community service and has co-ordinated over 20 projects to help others. Several outstanding awards, including the Order of Prince Edward Island, and an Honourary Doctorate of Law Degree from the University of Prince Edward Island honour her volunteering contributions.

As a member of the Lake of Shining Waters, Imperial Order of the Daughters of Empire (I.O.D.E.), she has undertaken research, fundraising, implementation and coordination for many important projects. Two key projects are the Baby, Think it Over infant simulator and the Food For Thought Program to provide food for children who come to school hungry. She is a founding member of Friends of the Food Bank; she coordinated a Drug Abuse Resistance Education Program with the RCMP for children, and worked for improved preventative, treatment and support measures for breast cancer.

Marlene's voluntary work was done in addition to her career as an Employment and Insurance Officer with the federal government. Marlene Bryenton, now a retiree, is giving more of her time in finding ways to improve and enhance the life of others.