Volunteer of the Year

Linda Alkenbrack: 2025 Volunteer of the Year The John Cole Award, named in honour of the first Board Chair of the Friends, is bestowed upon a member who has proven to be a shining example of the values of our organization over a period of years. The Board of Directors has the difficult task of selecting one volunteer from the many deserving candidates. This year’s recipient, Linda Alkenbrack, exemplifies this service to our organization.  Linda has served six years on the Friends’ Board of Directors as Treasurer. She has greatly expanded our financial reporting activities, providing full monthly financial reports […]

2024 Volunteer of the Year Award Winner – Larry Paradis The John Cole Award, named in honour of our first Board Chair, is given to the Volunteer of the Year. The Board of Directors has the difficult task of selecting one volunteer from the many deserving candidates. Our Volunteer of the Year is to be a shining example of the values of our organization and his or her service to the Friends organization over a period of years. This year’s winner has gotten his hands and boots dirty many times, not only this year, but years in the past. For […]

Bev Cook – 2021 Volunteer of the Year The John Cole Award is presented annually to our Volunteer of the Year. It is named in honour of our first Board Chair. The selection of the Volunteer of the Year is a difficult task for the Board of Directors as there are so many deserving candidates who have been a shining example of the values of our organization over a period of many years. This year’s recipient is Beverlie Cook, who is well known for her dedication and commitment to the Friends. She is a familiar face at various Friends and […]

John Warner Named Volunteer of the Year 2020 John Warner, head of the Park Improvements team has been named the 2020 Volunteer of the Year by the Friends of Presqu’ile Park. John began his volunteer work with the Friends finishing the original Marsh Boardwalk build back in 2010. Since that time, he has had a hand in designing and building multiple foot bridges, walkways, viewing platforms and even picnic tables—all in an effort to improve the Park for its visitors. John and his wife, Joan, first moved to Brighton in 1972. John had a long career with the Ontario Ministry […]

Honouring Linda Collins: The 2019 Volunteer of the Year By Rachel Howard Each year our Volunteer of the Year is awarded the John Cole Award. For 2019, the award was presented to Linda Collins. Linda and her husband Bob, moved to Brighton eight years ago, and as a new resident was searching for a volunteer opportunity. She asked her new neighbors and was introduced to The Friends of Presqu’ile Park. Linda joined the Christmas Committee at The Friends of Presqu’ile Park, and quickly assimilated the project needs for the wonderful Christmas@ Presqu’ile event. Linda evaluates between 130 and 160 vendors […]

Each year, The Friends of Presqu’ile honour our Volunteer of the Year with the presentation of the John Cole Award.  For 2018, the award was presented to Joyce Boucher. Joyce is the force behind the Friends of Presqu’ile Gift Shop located in the Lighthouse Interpretive Centre.  The gift shop is a major fund raiser for the Friends.  Of equal importance is Joyce’s role as the face of the Friends to many visitors to Presqu’ile Provincial Park.  They know they can receive reliable advice about The Friends, The Park and the town of Brighton.  They can buy a membership, make a donation […]

Each year, we honour our Volunteer of the Year with the presentation of the John Cole Award.  For 2017, the award was presented to Janine McClintock. Janine’s devotion to Presqu’ile Park began when she accepted a summer contract as the Park Naturalist.  That led to a six year involvement with the Natural Heritage Education program.  After Janine left this role to become a teacher; her commitment to the Park continued in a volunteer role. Janine was an advisor for the development of the first Kids ‘n Nature School Program and Kids ‘n Nature Summer Camp.  She took over the camp program during its inaugural year.  […]

Each year, we honour our Volunteer of the Year with the presentation of The John Cole Award. In 1988, John Cole and the original Board had a vision that ‘The Friends will help further the achievement of the Park’s goals by allowing volunteers from the local community to actively assist Park Staff with educational activities, publicity, and the production of high quality Park related publications’. In July of that year, The Friends of Presqu’ile’s Chairman, John Cole, and Regional Director of the Ministry of Natural Resources, John Oatway, signed an agreement to ensure the improvement of Presqu’ile’s educational programs and services. […]