This is Brad (and his Dad)
Brad's Dad is not sad.
Not sad brad's dad is glad.
glad brad's dad is glad...
...because brad.....
Brad Skeats receiving a 2012 Community Achievement Award from His Honour Steven L. Point, OBC, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and the Honourable Ida Chong, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development on April 25th
Longtime hospice volunteer recognized at 2012 BC Community Achievement Awards
VANCOUVER – Premier Christy Clark and Keith Mitchell, chair of the British Columbia Achievement Foundation, named this year’s recipients of the B.C. Community Achievement Awards on April 25 in Victoria, BC. Canuck Place Children's Hospice was represented well by longtime volunteer Brad Skeats.
“I am pleased to recognize the outstanding contributions of this year’s Community Achievement Awards recipients,” said Premier Clark. “Charity begins at home, that’s what I’ve always believed and I want to thank these remarkable British Columbians for giving their time, dedication and energy to make a positive difference in their communities and our province.”
“The community achievement awards honour individuals who have made a significant contribution either as a volunteer or in the course of their work,” said Mitchell. “Today’s recipients contribute in many areas – health, education, multiculturalism, arts and culture, environment, philanthropy, and youth or seniors’ leadership, among others.”
Brad has been a Family and Bereavement Support Volunteer at Canuck Place for the past 12 (count 'em) years and also sits on the Volunteer Leadership Team. Giving back to the community runs in the Skeats family - Brad's father Rick is an active Garden Crew volunteer and helps to keep the hospice gardens in tip-top shape.
Brad says of the honour, "It was a special day for sure, something my family and I will remember for a long time. While waiting to be called to the stage I was reflecting upon some of the special moments from the past twelve years and couldn't help but feel quite emotional when remembering many of the children and families I've shared time with. I also couldn't help but think about how far I've come personally and as a volunteer over that time and how fortunate I am to have Canuck Place in my life and to have been able to represent the hospice at the BC Community Achievement Awards this year."
Thank you, Brad, for all that you do - we are proud and privileged to have you in the Canuck Place family!
Father & Son Volunteers - Brad & Rick
Father and son team up to help Canuck Place families
Rick Skeats and his son Brad not only share a close family bond, but the desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Both provide the most fundamental act of philanthropy – they give of themselves, serving as volunteers. Rick and Brad are two of more than 350 active Canuck Place Children’s Hospice volunteers, aged 16 to 81, from all walks of life and with varied talents, skills and abilities.
The father and son team help the children and families on our program in their own unique ways.
“I was first introduced to Canuck Place after suffering a spinal cord injury back in 1997,” says Brad Skeats. “During my recovery a neighbour encouraged me to consider volunteering at the Hospice. I found it to be such a positive and welcoming environment that I’ve been a family and bereavement support volunteer ever since.”
Canuck Place volunteers assist in bereavement/outreach, office reception, practical areas such as kitchen and housekeeping, transportation, gardening, outdoor maintenance, the school room and library, family/peer support and special events.
“Brad let me know when Canuck Place was recruiting for the garden crew,” remarked Rick Skeats. “I taught him all about gardening when he was little so he thought I’d be a good fit. I’m glad he did; volunteering with my son is incredibly rewarding.”
Volunteers enrich the Hospice in many important ways. They provide companionship and support to children and families that may be missing the support systems that help them at home.
“We rely on our dedicated volunteer force to ensure our programs and services continue to be offered free of charge to the families we care for,” says Leanne Freeman, Manager, Volunteer and Support Services. “Volunteers provide a helping hand, a listening ear and a caring heart. They are indispensable members of our interdisciplinary team.”
The father and son team help the children and families on our program in their own unique ways.
“I was first introduced to Canuck Place after suffering a spinal cord injury back in 1997,” says Brad Skeats. “During my recovery a neighbour encouraged me to consider volunteering at the Hospice. I found it to be such a positive and welcoming environment that I’ve been a family and bereavement support volunteer ever since.”
Canuck Place volunteers assist in bereavement/outreach, office reception, practical areas such as kitchen and housekeeping, transportation, gardening, outdoor maintenance, the school room and library, family/peer support and special events.
“Brad let me know when Canuck Place was recruiting for the garden crew,” remarked Rick Skeats. “I taught him all about gardening when he was little so he thought I’d be a good fit. I’m glad he did; volunteering with my son is incredibly rewarding.”
Volunteers enrich the Hospice in many important ways. They provide companionship and support to children and families that may be missing the support systems that help them at home.
“We rely on our dedicated volunteer force to ensure our programs and services continue to be offered free of charge to the families we care for,” says Leanne Freeman, Manager, Volunteer and Support Services. “Volunteers provide a helping hand, a listening ear and a caring heart. They are indispensable members of our interdisciplinary team.”
Thanks to Rick, Brad and all of our volunteers, for your amazing contributions to Canuck Place!
http://www.canuckplace.org/news_events/media_centre/index/articles1202.php
