MDS, MCC Volunteers Honored at Provincial Awards Ceremony

Mennonite Central Committee
Saturday, 15 April 2000

WINNIPEG, Man. -- Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Manitoba thrift store volunteers and a Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) volunteer have been honored for their volunteer work in Manitoba.

Gord Friesen received the Royal Bank Local Hero Award for his work helping flood survivors in the months following the 1997 Red River flood. "Gord Friesen was right there through it all and continues to work with victims," said Archie Arnott, vice president of business banking for the Royal Bank, in presenting the award.

Meanwhile, the 2,500 volunteers of MCC Manitoba thrift stores received a 2000 Premier's Volunteer Service Award. Thrift shop coordinator Martha Klassen and Nettie Stoesz, thrift shop manager in Altona for 22 years, accepted the award.

Ken Reddig, MCC Manitoba executive director, said it was a great honour to have the volunteer efforts of these people, who are closely connected with MCC, acknowledged publically.

The 17th annual awards ceremony and luncheon on April 11 was attended by an estimated 1,500 people including Lt. Governor Peter Liba, Premier Gary Doer, and Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray.

"Thank-you for an absolutely invaluable contribution that you [volunteers] make to our city and to our province," said Murray. Other volunteers were honored at the ceremony as well.

Gord Friesen has been a dedicated volunteer with MDS since June, 1997. Initially, he went door- to-door identifying the most needy flood victims. He then worked as a project manager for MDS's rebuilding program. And he volunteered as a liaison assisting the government and clients in addressing flood claims issues.

Friesen said he felt strange being singled out for his volunteer work during the Manitoba flood, when thousands of other people also contributed to the relief effort. "I'm representing all the volunteers as far as I'm concerned. It gives good recognition to what a lot of people did."

He received $5,000 Cdn/$3,400 U.S. from the Royal Bank for a charity of his choice. He donated it to MCC's flood relief work in Mozambique.

Klassen gave credit for the award to all the thrift store volunteers. "It feels very humbling to receive an award on behalf of 2,500 people. I realize the contribution of all these volunteers is significant and important that they've been recognized in this way."

The volunteers, who operate 16 independent thrift stores in Manitoba, generate $1.2 million Cdn/$800,000 U.S. in support annually towards MCC's work around the world.

Klassen said she thinks one reason the thrift store volunteers won the award is their commitment to recycling. The thrift stores promote recycled and used goods. And they regularly remake old clothes into beautiful blankets.

After the awards ceremony, Klassen and Stoesz presented Premier Doer with a denim picnic blanket sewn by a thrift store volunteer in Altona. "We thought this blanket could be a symbol of the recycling contribution to Manitoba," said Klassen.

For information specific to MCC Manitoba and their programs, MCC Manitoba maintains a web site at http://www.mccm.mb.ca for all Manitoba churches and interested individuals.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org