(submitted photo/Lorna Benson)

By Joanie Olson

Volunteerism Celebrated

A resident of Canwood being recognized for community service

Jun 22, 2021 | 1:12 PM

A local community member from Canwood is one of the 26 residents who has been honored with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, presented by the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan.

Lorna Benson was taken aback when she found out she was not only nominated but had been chosen for the Medal.

“Volunteering is a way for me to give back to the community and the province. I have lived in Saskatchewan my whole life. I have deep roots here and I believe that giving back to the communities that help us raise our families and support us in our work and family lives is really important,” said Benson.

One of Lorna’s big volunteering tasks is as the coordinator for the first responders.

“I respond to first responder calls. That is a job that is 24 hours a day 7 days a week and 365 days a year because nobody gets to choose when they get sick and need help.”

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Volunteering for the responders is just one of many ways Benson has been pouring into her community.

“Lorna Benson helps to keep the Rural Municipality of Canwood safe by volunteering with the First Responder Group and the Rural Crime Watch. She has improved community life by raising funds for the ongoing maintenance of the local skating rink and by organizing such events as an annual holiday concert,” the Government of Saskatchewan said in a release.

Benson said she does not volunteer for the recognition because she doesn’t like being in the spotlight. It’s about much more than that for her.

“We are working together to make our community a better place to live. We like to have community connections.” She said, “I think by bringing people together whether at the local rink, or church Christmas concert we are one community and we work as a group. It is important that we work to make the community thrive and continue on.”

The Lieutenant Governor will present the medals on behalf of the Office of the Secretary to the Governor-General at a virtual ceremony that will be aired on July 1, at 10:00am . The event link will be posted at https://ltgov.sk.ca/. The recipients were to be honoured at a May 22, 2020 ceremony that was postponed due to the pandemic.

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joan.olson@pattisonmedia.com