An Estevanite will be one of the newest recipients of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, with the provincial honour marking its 20th anniversary at a ceremony in April.
Tina Bird will receive the medal for her lengthy volunteer resumé that currently includes work on the Relay for Life campaign, as a victim services support worker with the Estevan Police Service and RCMP, the Estevan Lions Club and the Estevan Army Cadets.
The medal recognizes an outstanding volunteer or someone who exemplifies exceptional community involvement.
Bird’s nominator, Pat Steinke, said there is no one more deserving.
“She’s the hardest working. She never has an excuse. If she says she’s going to do a job, she does it, and she does it 100 per cent,” said Steinke, who praised Bird’s leadership and time management skills.
“There’s no job she won’t roll up her sleeves and do herself. She asks nothing of her volunteers that she won’t do, and she works alongside everybody who is there to help her.”
Bird said she believes in “paying it forward,” and that has left her wanting to help out when and where she can.
“I was very shocked and in awe when they called me,” said Bird referring to when she was informed of the award.
“If anybody read her resumé, they would be amazed at how many organizations, committees, boards (she is on). Ever since I met Tina, she has worked really hard to improve Estevan. She has been a wonderful addition to our community on all levels, whether it’s school, the community, the Cancer Society, the Lions. You name it, Tina is involved,” added Steinke.
Bird has worked at Carson Energy Services since 2008. During her off hours she has served Estevan’s Relay for Life in many capacities, including as event chair, logistics chair, team chair and team participant. She has also been a board member of the Canadian Cancer Society, Southeast District Board, since 2010 and is a recipient of the Division Special Award, Canadian Cancer Society. Her other achievements and activities include: victim support worker, Southeast Regional Victim Services; president, secretary, treasurer, past president and board member, Estevan Youth and Mini Soccer Organization; chairperson, Sacred Heart/Sacré Coeur School Community Council; president, Estevan Lions Club; Estevan Comprehensive School Community Council, as secretary and member at large; chairperson, Sponsoring Committee, Estevan Army Cadets; chairperson, Estevan Army Cadets Parents’ Committee; former Legion member and Legion board representative; Estevan Farmers’ Market board member; volunteer, United Way Telethon; canvasser, Heart and Stroke Foundation; volunteer, Girl Guides of Canada and Scouts Canada.
Steinke said for someone who has a big life outside of her volunteering, with a job, family and other commitments, “she sees where the needs are in this community and dives right in.”
The Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal program was established in 1995 with the first recipients presented with their medals the following year.
The medal is silver, circular in form and suspended by a V-shaped clasp from a ribbon of green and gold, the provincial colours. It also has the Saskatchewan Shield of Arms, the Crown and a motto reading in Latin, “Nos ipsos dedimus,” which means, “We gave of ourselves.”
The Lieutenant-Governor Vaughan Solomon Schofield, a recipient of the award herself in 2009, will present the medals to the newest eight recipients in April in Regina. Following that ceremony, 174 people will have received this provincial honour. Saskatchewan has the highest rate of volunteerism in Canada, according to a government press release.
