Toots Tucker had to take a break from her volunteer duties at the concession stand of the 91原创 City Terry Fox Run on Sunday to be recognized for her endless contributions to both the fundraising run and her community.
The 84-year-old 91原创 City woman was the first person to be crowned 91原创 City鈥檚 volunteer of the year and given the inaugural Dave Hall volunteer award ahead of the morning鈥檚 walk/run.
Hall, a late 91原创 City councillor and community volunteer was a 鈥渟taunch鈥� supporter of the local Terry Fox Run. He passed away of cancer at the beginning of 2016.
Creation of an award bearing his name was announced at last year鈥檚 Terry Fox Run. The award is intent to recognize an exemplary City volunteer each year, said Marg McGuire-Grout, chair of the run鈥檚 organizing committee for the past three years.
Hall鈥檚 wife, Ellen, and daughter, Amanda, were on hand this year to present the first every award to Tucker.
The humble recipient offered up to dignitaries and fellow volunteers on stage, then briefly thanked the crowd, describing the accolades as a shock, feeling there are many more worthy of the honour.
She learned she was being given the award a few weeks back, but was insistent the presentation not interfere too much with her volunteer duties at this year鈥檚 run.
Tucker has been a 91原创 resident since 1953, when the City was known as 91原创 Prairie, explained McGuire-Grout.
鈥淪adly, her husband suffered a massive stroke in 1983, and she spent many years as his caregiver until his passing.鈥�
Since then, Tucker become a consummate community volunteer, helping out with least a dozen non-profits 鈥� including the Terry Fox Run, McGuire-Grout said.
She鈥檚 been volunteering with the cause for eight, nine, maybe 10 years, Tucker told the 91原创 Advance.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 really count. I just come鈥︹�� she said.
鈥淚 just love helping and Terry Fox is a wonderful institution to help with [people with] cancer, and helping lots of people who need help desperately. So, we鈥檙e here for love and support,鈥� Tucker said.
She鈥檚 also volunteers with the 91原创 Lodge, the seniors centre, the cancer society, 91原创 Centennial Museum, the heritage society, garden club, field naturalists, and her church.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 stay home very much,鈥� she said with a chuckle. 鈥淟et鈥檚 just say I don鈥檛 like housework.鈥�
So what keeps her so involved, Tucker said it鈥檚 the people.
鈥�91原创 really is the place to be,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e with the nicest people in the world, and what little bit I can contribute, I鈥檓 here. It鈥檚 a wonderful way to live.鈥�
Donations still coming in
Speaking of volunteers, McGuire-Grout credited a team of 51 鈥済reat volunteers鈥� with making the City鈥檚 Terry Fox Run 鈥渁nother successful year.
The run and walk, which started and ended at Douglas Park, saw 228 participants this year.
That鈥檚 slightly down from last year, explained McGuire-Grout.
鈥淏ut we raised in total $13,181 today, which is $2,000 more than last year,鈥� she said. 鈥淣eedless to say, I鈥檓 ecstatic. This number will likely grow still, as online donations continue to come in.鈥�
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