Manitouwadge Citizen of the Year Ambushed at MGH (+Video)
Carole Baye (left) listens politely as Shawna Patterson, Community Programmer, reads some of the reasons for which the busy volunteer had been nominated. Mayor John MacEachern - far right. Photo by OntarioNewsNorth.com
The ambush... Thanks to a Hospital Auxilliary Bake Sale in progress, Carole Baye didn't suspect until she was well into the lobby and had removed her coat, ready to get to work.
MANITOUWADGE, ON – Friday, February 11th, Township of Manitouwadge Community Programmer Shawna Patterson, accommpanied by Mayor John MacEachern, Councillor Donna Jaunzarins, Economic Development department staff Karen Robinson and Dave Raymond and others attended the lobby of the Manitouwadge General Hospital where the Ladies Auxilliary was hosting a bake sale – they were not there for the delicious cookies.
The delegation was waiting to ambush the 2010 Citizen of the Year whom they had already determined would not be in attendance at the Opening Ceremonies of Frosty Days 2011, where they had originally hoped to present the award. The recipient regularly helps feed patients at the hospital who are not able to feed themselves and so this was the ideal place to present her with the award for which she had been nominated by community members.
Carol Baye arrived, as expected, to help those she has committed much of her time to as a volunteer at the hospital and Patterson addressed those in attendance to share the reasons for which Baye had been nominated as Citizen of the Year.
Carol moved to Manitouwadge in 1963, she travelled to Canada in a ship, hopped on a
train and landed in Marathon, ON. She arrived in Manitouwadge on Halloween.
Those lucky enough to know Carole Baye would quickly tell you that though Patterson’s introduction was very kind and included many of the qualities and volunteer job descriptions which earned Baye her nomination, it would be nearly impossible to list all the ways she has given back to the Community of Manitouwadge. Many of those whom Baye gives of herself and her time to, infact most of those for whom she tirelessly volunteers, are not among the people in Manitouwadge who would normally feel compelled to write in to nominate a ‘citizen of the year’. It is not that these people haven’t thouroughly appreciated Carole’s time, caring and compassion; it is just that many are either not in a position to write (like the patients she would be helping this day at MGH), not able to write or too shy to do so. None the less, here are some of the qualities and volunteerism for which Carol was nominated which Shawna Patterson shared with those in attendance about Manitouwadge’s 2010 Citizen of the Year:
- She volunteers each weekday at the hospital to help feed the patients lunch
who are unable to feed themselves. - She is a steadfast and loyal member at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, was the secretary for many years.
- She volunteered for many years at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School.
- Volunteered for over 30 years with Dr. Simpson, the vet who comes to town, and still takes questions from people with sick pets and tries to give them the best advice possible, a true animal lover. Patterson had also contacted Carole’s daughter Liz, who was very proud to tell of her Mom’s kindness shared stories of how she takes in stray animals and finds them homes, one time even taking in an injured goose until finding it a farm to live on.
- She is the driving force behind our Local Food Bank/Handi Action Group. Volunteers weekly as well each Christmas puts together 50+ Food Hampers for local families needing a little extra help over the holidays.
- She volunteered in the past picking up and delivering books on tape from the library for those who couldn’t do it themselves.
- Another memory Liz had been proud to share was her Family’s tradition at Christmas growing up. Carole would find someone who had nowhere to go, and bring them to into her home to share Christmas dinner. There was also a present purchased for a male and a female, since they were never sure who would be joining their family for the dinner.
Friends congratulate Carole after the presentation.
Baye was clearly very moved by the recognition. Mayor John MacEachern presented her with a plaque as well as a beautiful bouquet of flowers, thanking her for her diligent, ongoing contributions to the community and her tireless volunteerism.
