A longtime volunteer at the New Westminster Public Library has received a prestigious Canada Volunteer Award.
Shelagh Armour-Godbolt, a longtime Conversation Circle volunteer, is a 2020 recipient of the Canada Volunteer Award. The awards, given out by the federal government to a select number of Canadians each year, recognize the contributions that individuals, not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises and businesses make to their communities through volunteering.
Armour-Godbolt is the recipient of the Community Leader award for British Columbia and the North.
“As the regional recipient of the Community Leader category, the award recognizes Shelagh’s many years of dedicated and inspirational volunteer service for many organizations, including the Huntington Society, Kenya Education Endowment Fund and the library, among many others,” said a press release from the NWPL. “Shelagh has been a key volunteer for the ESL Conversation Circle team at the library since the program began. The circles started in response to a need for an informal, barrier-free and welcoming space for non-English speakers to develop language skills and forge community connections.”
According to the NWPL, Armour-Godbolt has also raised money for high school and post-secondary students in Kenya, as well a community centre and classrooms for an orphanage in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As a volunteer for the Canadian Jamaican Medical Assistance Society, she has raised money for hospitals, schools, scholarships and a drop-in rehabilitation centre for homeless adults.
“The library is incredibly proud that Shelagh’s tireless dedication to so many worthwhile causes has now been recognized with this important national award,” said the press release.
According to Employment and Social Development Canada, Armour-Godbolt started volunteering at the age of 12.
“For almost 70 years, she has given her time and shared her talents with many people,” said the notice about her award.
In addition to volunteering at the library for the past 10 years, Armour-Godbolt has raised awareness and funds for organizations such as the Huntington Society of Canada (B.C. Chapter), Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society and Chemainus Harvest House Food Bank. The government acknowledged that her fundraising efforts have helped to improve the lives of youth in developing nations.
“Shelagh’s leadership and fundraising skills have helped many people and organizations,” said a statement about her award. “She has shown how a lifetime of volunteering can make a positive impact in Canada and abroad.”
