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Vol. 11 Issue 10
ears!!! y 1 1 g n i t a r Celeb
March 2021
Congratulations to Local “Honour 150” Recipients
Honour 150 presented by Canada Life, recognizes 150 people from across the province who stand out for their role in making Manitoba such an amazing province. Nominated by people in their own communities in 2020, these 150 individuals range from teenage to centenarians, and represent the diversity of our province. Honorees receive a commemorative medal designed and created by Manitoba artist Takashi Iwasaki. In addition, Canada Life will make a $500 donation to the charity of each Honouree’s organization of choice. Students from Red River College’s Creative Communications Program conducted interviews in early 2020 and wrote short biographies of each recipient, with a little help from volunteer mentors. Meet our local honouree’s... For decades, Lavack’s generosity has lifted those around her. Dan Guetre from Richer Richer’s unstoppable force
Claudette Lavack from Ste. Anne By Red River College student, Cody Sellar
The influence of Claudette Lavack spreads root and branches through Ste. Anne. Since the mid-1980s, she’s worked with youth in the Justice Committee who meet with youth in the justice system and tries to steer them on a correct path after having made amends for their misdemeanors. She helps organize Christmas hampers every December with Accueil Kateri Centre, the local food bank, where she volunteers bi-weekly whenever she can. She goes weekly, along with other volunteers to Villa Youville Nursing Home, where she bakes cookies, muffins, and other treats with and for the residents. She also leads the residents in a singalong. Despite having retired from years of service as principal and teacher, she volunteers at École Ste. Anne Immersionl. The list goes on. “I intend to continue volunteering as long as my health permits,” said Lavack. “It’s important for me because I had the example of my parents, who always volunteered in their communities,” she said.
By Red River College student, Nicole Brownlee
Those close to her say she’s hesitant to accept accolades — another reason they want to see her recognized. “She’s putting others ahead of her own needs,” said Vicki Bouchard, Lavack’s niece and nominator, who says her aunt has a talent for recognizing where support is lacking. Lavack said she noticed many children with food insecurity while teaching, so in 2016 she was part of a steering committee that and others created the food bank Accueil Kateri Centre Inc. They started with 15 and are now serving 75+ families biweekly. Above all, it’s children she strives to help. “I find it enriches my soul,” she said.
Dan Guetre is seen as an unstoppable force in Richer, Manitoba. According to some community members of Richer, his dedication borders on “insane.” Not even a bout of kidney stones can keep Guetre from being involved. The night Guetre began treatment, he remembered he had a community club meeting and without hesitation he drove from Ste. Anne to Richer. “I was in my hospital pyjamas and I sat there and smiled through the whole thing,” says Guetre. “I never miss a community club meeting.” Guetre was first inspired to volunteer in his late teens when his father brought him to Black Bear Days, a beloved Richer festival. Now, Guetre carries his father’s spirit when he helps organize each of Richer’s community events, many of which could not be celebrated without Guetre’s contributions. To help his community, he has shaved his head for cancer, raised over $400,000 for Richer’s ice rink, and im-
mediately jumped on board and helped organize his own personal favourite festival, the annual Richer Rough Stock Rodeo. “It’s a privilege to be in a community where people care,” says Guetre. While Guetre is planning, organizing, and fundraising for Richer, he also runs his own businesses, acts as president of the Dawson Trail Community Development Cooperation, and is a director of the Richer Community Club to ensure his sanity is never questioned and was the founding president of the Richer Daycare and a former board member of the Richer School Parent Advisory Committee.