Tofino local Eileen Floody was recently honoured with a volunteer recognition award for her outstanding community commitment. Floody received her award during last week's regular council meeting where Mayor Josie Osborne dished out high accolades before bestowing the honour.
While Floody's garden of community service has many flowers to pick from, Osborne touted her efforts with the Winter Music Festival Society and the Friends of Clayoquot Sound as the key reasons for her selection.
"She has contributed countless hours to those organizations with grant applications, advertising, board meetings and coordinating events," Osborne said.
She added that Floody was a lead instigator on the recent garden restoration at Katie Monks Park and recently volunteered to monitor the school garden over the summer.
"She continues to put in far more than her paid hours at the Vancouver Island regional library and did so as well when she was the manager of the Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre," Osborne said. "Eileen cares deeply about our community and she has contributed greatly to the cultural richness and the environment of our community."
While accepting her award, a beaming Floody said dedicating herself to Tofino is a privilege.
Tofino launched is volunteer recognition program in April 2013 in an effort to identify Tofitians who go above and beyond to better the community. Floody told the Westerly News she was grateful to the district for the accolades.
"People are nominated by volunteer organizations, so it is a thank you from the people you work with and the Council," she said.
"I think it's wonderful that the Mayor and Council do this, and any group can send a submission. I volunteer for the friends of Clayoquot Sound because I love this place and I want to see the environment as healthy as possible for all life. I'm involved with the Winter Music Series because I enjoy music, and it's so much appreciated here. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this wonderful community."
reporter@westerlynews.ca