The Greater Moncton Literacy Council
A Member of Laubach Literacy of Canada

JUNE 2001

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR, AFTER YEAR, AFTER YEAR

To everyone connected with Laubach Literacy in New Brunswick he is Peter. We have all known him since we first volunteered, whether that was last week, last year or twenty-two years ago. Yes, twenty-two years ago.

It is very interesting to ask Peter questions that begin with "Why". Why was LLNB formed ? Why was the NB Committee for Literacy created when LLNB already existed ? Why the newcomer, Literacy NB Incorporated ? Each will bring forth a long and personalized discussion and will reveal a depth of knowledge of Literacy efforts and its New Brunswick history which only those who have lived it can acquire.

Literacy today has become one of the "In Things" and today it is easy to jump on the bandwagon as a volunteer, but Peter began and has worked in the field for a quarter of a century. He began when the there was only a tiny handful of missionaries and his enthusiasm and energy are just as great today as they were back then.

Peter Sawyer finally received his "Twenty Year Pin" this spring when he was recognized by the Province with an Alpha Award as Volunteer of the Year. He accepted it very modestly, but there are hundreds of literacy workers who hope that he is internally very proud of what it represents—the total respect and affection of all those he has inspired. If a red suit, white hair, and a white beard represent the spirit of Christmas, there is a plaid shirt, a crooked neck-tie, white hair and a white beard that represents the Spirit of Literacy ! Thank you, Peter, from all of us !