TOWN OF CANMORE Mayor's Volunteer Celebration
Volunteer Appreciation Awards for our PCSBV Volunteers!
Diana Law
Diana has contributed countless volunteer hours to the growth and development of the Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley (PCSBV). Since 2014 she worked with PCSBV as a founding member of the society and has generously given her time on many committees. Most notably as chair of the Stoney Nakoda First Nations Morley (SNFNM) Working Group where she committed 2.5 years of volunteering to cultivate relationships with our neighboring indigenous communities. This working group allowed for the voices of the SNFNM to be heard and included in the planning processes of PCSBV. Through this working group Diana and the committee developed a report titled The Circle of Life which provided information collected directly from the people of SNFNM about their palliative care needs. Diana’s main contributions through her volunteer work were helping to create PCSBV as a society and conveying the palliative care needs of the SNFNM communities.
Diana also chaired the PCSBV’s first Communications Committee and during its inception she helped create pathways of conversations and collaborations. Such as PCSBV’s connection with Mount Royal College students to develop PCSBV’s communication strategy. Currently Diana also volunteers with AHS at Canmore General hospital and has continually supported PCSBV through providing consultation to PCSBV staff and other volunteers about SNFNM and the history of PCSBV. Diana’s recent move from Canmore to Cochrane instigated PCSBV to nominate her to ensure her 10+ years of volunteer work in Canmore and surrounding communities has not gone unrecognized. If you have met Diana, you know her compassion and kindness shines through every connection she makes! 3 . Christmas Placemats - Having been made every year for about 20 years in support of our seniors in Banff and Canmore, placemats are gifted at Christmas time with many of the placemats being made with non-seasonal themed fabric on the back in order that the recipient may use the beautiful placemats all year round. In 2021 MCQG distributed about 35 placemats to St. Martha’s (at Banff Mineral Springs hospital) and the Mt. Edith House Seniors home. In Canmore 18 placemats were provided to our local “Meals on Wheels” organization. 4 . YWCA Tote Bags - Made by volunteers and in collaboration with St. Michael’s Anglican Church Ladies Auxiliary. Each tote bag is filled with necessity items, such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, and provided to women in need at no cost staying at the Banff YWCA. About 35-50 Tote Bags have been made each year for about 20 years. 5 . Touch Quilts - Since 2016 volunteers have been making touch lap quilts for people living with dementia in the Bow Valley. The squares in the quilts vary in texture and colour, and offer comfort and tactile stimulation. Add-ons such as pockets, Velcro and ties provide additional tactile and visual stimulation for dementia patients. These quilts upcycle scraps and are backed with flannel to keep them from slipping. 6 . Cat Beds - fabric scrap bags are turned into cat beds. The beds were donated to the animal shelter by the Mountain Cabin Quilters Guild in January 2023. It is a great idea to upcycle fabric scraps and support our local SPCA!
Mountain Cabin Quilters Guild
The Mountain Cabin Quilters Guild (MCQG) deserves extra special recognition because of the amazing work and creative initiatives they do to support our community! Each initiative listed below supports local Bow Valley residents in need with a handmade item crafted by the guild’s volunteers. The handmade items are a comforting gift of love and kindness to those in times of need. 1 . Precious Belongings Bags - Produced by members of the Mountain Cabin Quilters Guild, these bags are a gift from MCQG volunteers to families grieving a recent death. Each bag is intended to transport home the personal items left behind by a loved one who has passed on. The bags are a sign of compassion for family and friends in a difficult time. The Palliative Care Society of the Bow Valley helps to promote and coordinate this initiative and currently provides bags to Canmore General Hospital and Banff Mineral Springs Hospital. In 2022-23, 60 Precious Belongings Bags were made. 2 . HUGS Quilts - A project that provides handmade quilts created by MCQG members for residents living in the Bow Valley who are receiving chemotherapy treatments at the Canmore General Hospital as well as for Guild members who have become seriously ill. Since 2012, MCQC volunteers have distributed 252 quilts.
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software