Chilliwack volunteer, 85, receives Governor General’s award for tireless volunteerism

“We are honoured to announce that Vince Merritt, a long time Chilliwack Hospice Society volunteer has been awarded the Governor General of Canada Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers,” Chilliwack Hospice wrote in a statement on March 31. “This is the highest honour for volunteerism in Canada. To qualify for this award a person must have made significant, sustained, and unpaid contributions to their community in Canada or abroad. Nominees must have approximately 10 years of volunteer service over their lifetime with one or more organizations. Significant volunteer work is work which has made a positive, lasting impact to the greater community and which brings honour to Canada. Vince has all these attributes. Throughout Vince’s time here, he has always stepped up to help wherever he is needed.”

Merritt will receive the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers today, Wednesday, April 5 at a ceremony. Mayor Ken Popove and Councillor Bud Mercer will be present for the ceremony along with Bob Besner, representing the board of directors for Chilliwack Hospice Society.

In 1953, at the age of 16, Vince boarded a train in Halifax to start his 25-year career with the Canadian military. The train stopped in various cities across Canada and picked up more new soldiers. Many of these men became lifelong friends. Vince’s most notable moment during his military career was while he was posted in Tanzania, and he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, according to a biography shared by Chilliwack Hospice Society.

Vince, his wife Saralynn, and his three young children spent three years posted in Germany. While posted there they enjoyed the sights of Europe as a once in a lifetime opportunity. In 1978, he retired from the military and then moved on to B.C. Corrections to start his second career. He spent the next 13 years working in various prisons in the Lower Mainland.

Merritt says he feels humbled by the Sovereign’s Medal distinction.

“I feel humbled when I realize that I have been awarded a medal which has been given to more deserving groups of men and women,” Merritt said. “People like those with community search and rescues, volunteer firemen, Canadian Red Cross, fundraisers, and care workers on the streets of any community. I feel proud that I have been recognized along with several thousand other Canadians each year as a deserving volunteer.”

Volunteers like Merritt strive to enrich their communities so that they are a better place to live, work and play.

“The main feeling is that I have been awarded this medal at 85; I am not too old to still contribute to my community in a meaningful way,” Merritt said.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack volunteer, 85, receives Governor General’s award for tireless volunteerism

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