A longtime volunteer at the Chatham Granite Club has been recognized for her 45 years as a volunteer.
Brenda Taylor was recently honoured by the province for her selfless service and received an award. Taylor was one of 51 people in Chatham-Kent-Leamington who were recognized for their years of outstanding contributions, but stood out as the longest-serving volunteer of the prestigious bunch.
Taylor said it feels good to help someone in need and that's what keeps her going. She also considers her club and her community part of the family.
"When you see the gratitude on people's faces, they don't even have to say thank you for giving them a helping hand," said Taylor. "It's always good to give back to your community, to the people that are important to you. Your community is like your family."
Taylor said volunteers are the life blood of many groups and clubs in Chatham-Kent.
"Our club survives on volunteers. Without volunteers, clubs around Chatham would not continue. Volunteers are the backbone of any club and it helps keep our curling club viable," Taylor added.
Taylor said she volunteers mostly at the Granite Club, but also helps her church feed the hungry.
She said she was nominated by another great Granite Club volunteer.
Other longtime volunteers recognized from Chatham-Kent-Leamington include Robert Larson for his 40 years of service with Scouts Canada. Joanne Story-Hendry of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire and Rand Macintosh of the Chatham Granite Club were also recognized for their 30 years of service with those groups.