Gisele Gaudet

I support the choice of Gisele Gaudet for this year's Volunteerism Award. Soon after moving to Taymouth, Gisele and John became involved in the Taymouth Recreation Council where they helped with fundraising events in support of the outdoor rink which was a busy place when the winters were good for outdoor ice. Later with two small girls of her own, she was instrumental in getting a Moms & Tots group started. Gisele was part of the organizing committee way back when the TCA was just an idea. During the meeting held to establish this award, Gordon Dunphy declared that it should be called the Burgess Volunteerism Award, Gisele supported the idea completely. Her modesty would never have had her imagine receiving it. Although usually under the radar, she has been involved in many of the fund raising activities over the years. Musical events often had Gisele's talents to help everything run smoothly. A well attended workshop titled Non-Violent Communication was brought to the community when Gisele arranged for a facilitator from Montreal to come to the T.C.C.. Most recently she has been a dedicated weekly volunteer at our market accepting donations for the Just Friends Food Bank and delivering them to Stanley. Gisele is a soft spoken gal with a great sense of humour. She is a lover of children, her own and everyone else's. She takes great joy in grandmothering. She has come from away but we are fortunate and proud to claim her as our own.

Gary English

Gisele is a pleasant person to chat with, always good humoured and interested in what's going on in the community. She has helped out with food events, fundraising and concerts over the years. She has a positive outlook and likes helping folks whenever she can. She deserves this recognition.

Jean Burgess

My earliest memories of Gisele are of walking to her home with Luke at age 1 for extended play dates with Genevieve and Katie. Then there was the fun of sharing in the founding of the Taymouth Mums and Tots and reveling in the company of mothers while watching our children entertain one another. Parenting conversations led to gathering for parenting programs such as How to talk so your kids will listen and listen so your kids will talk. Our earnest discussions dissolved repeatedly into laughter. The closing of the Taymouth School, a community gathering place, created a big hole and Gisele was one of the first to respond to the opportunity to take over the building and green space for a community centre and ball field, I remember traveling with her  and others to  old elementary schools which had been repurposed, such as a nearby special care home, for information on the pros and cons of a community taking on such a big project. Gisele became a dedicated TCA volunteer and her efforts ranged from supporting workshops such as Sign Language for Babies and Non Violent Communication to a program of outstanding musical concerts to the establishing of a nature trail on our wooded greenspace mapped out by her friend Julie Singleton, whom she often does local birdwatching with. Sam, as I have always called her, is a most tender-hearted person, who appreciates the beauty in nature and in her fellow human beings. She is also faithfully sensitive to the needs of those around her. I remember Sam driving me to see my mother in law Edna in Minto after Peter died, because I did not trust myself to do so. I think of all the Christmas cards I have received from Sam and John which included an announcement that a donation had been made in my name to a shelter in town. Thank you, Sam. for all you have contributed to the accomplishments and spirit of the TCA, often in the company of your family.

Blair Kuhn

Gisele, whom I have affectionately known as Sam since the day I met her, is a model for volunteerism in our community. She is also a wonderful neighbour. My experience volunteering with Sam at the TCA is primarily around interviewing, vetting and hiring our summer students. It is not by accident that we have had so much success with our summer students. Sam is a great judge of character. In addition to all she has done and continues to do volunteering with the TCA, Sam also gives her time freely to other organizations . She volunteers for the Just Friends Food Bank and Community Resource Center in Stanley where you often see her managing the donations table at the Market, as well at the Nashwaak Villa where you will often find her volunteering at the gift shop.  In a testament to who Sam is, she always makes time to visit with my parents when she is at the Villa, have a chat and often brings gifts like fresh cut flowers or other goodie’s. Sam you can’t imagine how much that brightens their day. Thank you so much for all you do for our community.

Cindy Sommerville

Gisele has been a life-long volunteer. I remember her teaching a vegetarian cooking class for interested members of our community, my mother included. I recall Gisele as one of the instructors for the S.T.E.P. parenting course during the mid eighties, held in the TCC building when it was still a school. I believe Gisele was one of the founding members of the Moms and Tots group which was originally held at the church hall, then moved to the TCC. This program was held once a week during the school year. It was a Godsend for stay-at-home Moms and Dads long before Facebook and the internet were a part of everyday life. Congratulations, Gisele - Well Deserved.

Amey Hickey