The Newfoundland and Labrador Laubach Literacy Council (NLLLC) has grown in delivering its provincial programs due to the unfailing support of its volunteers. Our volunteers deliver training for tutors, provide leadership by serving on provincial and local boards, tutor students, do public relations and marketing, serve on community Steering Committees for the Summer Reading for Fun Program, fundraise and deliver Books for Babies packages for new parents at local hospitals.

This year the provincial organization's AGM and conference saluted the many volunteers who have helped make this organization a success. The Exploits Literacy Council from Grand Falls- Windsor worked to provide small tokens of appreciation for each and every participant at the conference.

To recognize and to celebrate the International Year of Volunteers, the NLLLC board introduced the Susie Day Volunteer of the Year Award. The award was named in Susie's honour because she was the first Newfoundland Laubach trainer and because of her unfailing dedication to literacy over the past twenty years. Susie remains an active tutor and volunteer today, having helped twenty-seven students achieve their GED. The first recipient of this award is Paula Power of the Humber Literacy Council in Corner Brook. Paula has been a dedicated volunteer for literacy for the past twelve years, serving as student-tutor coordinator and treasurer for the local council and as treasurer for the NLLLC Board. Paula's volunteer work has extended from serving the local council as treasurer and student-tutor coordinator to serving on the provincial board and as editor for First Time Readers and the Literacy Notepad, while keeping literacy in the forefront of both local newspapers. The Volunteer Award recipient was selected by an unbiased committee consisting of Bev Tetford, Coordinator of the Western Memorial Volunteer services for Western Newfoundland; Marilyn Forward, Laubach Literacy of Canada trainer and volunteer and Alicia Sutton, Strategic Social Plan Coordinator for the Western Region.

At the provincial AGM volunteers were asked why they volunteer. Some of the responses were:

"I have to give in order to receive."

Bev Hulan
Bay St. George Literacy Council, Stephenville.

"I enjoy it and I find it so rewarding."

Lillian Moores
Exploits Literacy Council, Grand-Falls, Windsor.

"I find it very rewarding."

Marian Lambe
Burin Literacy Council, Marystown.

"I am giving back."

Dorothy Silver
Fredericton Literacy Council, Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Paula Power receiving the Susie Day award from Susie Day

It is impossible to individually thank the many volunteers who have a dedicated commitment to literacy in this province. You have made a difference and …

"Remember that you are needed. There is at least one important work to be done that will not be done unless you do it."

Charles Allen