Donna Morken accepts volunteer award from Premier
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2015
By Sheila Runions
Banner Staff
For the past 10 years Manitoba’s premier has presented Volunteer Service Awards during National Volunteer Week, this year April 12-18. The awards were established in co-operation with Volunteer Manitoba to “honour the efforts and dedication of outstanding volunteers in Manitoba, and to recognize and encourage the valuable services performed by volunteers,” states the provincial website. Awards are presented to youth, individuals and community groups. Approximately 200 nominations were submitted this year and among the 10 winners are five individuals, one of whom is Rivers’ own Donna Morken. Nominated by Krsita Reynolds, she included the following in her five-page application.
Donna’s longstanding history and commitment to Rivers and area is truly a lifetime story. This application will only be able to highlight her most recent events, which will focus on her volunteer work following her time as a councillor. As the Rivers Elementary principal, I can say without a doubt that each of the activities has had a direct impact on the entire community. Donna’s commitment and inspiration is contagious and has made her a role model for me and all young professionals, that one person can make a difference in their community, with passion and persistence. Donna has ability to recognize the need within Rivers and to persevere with others, using her creative qualities until success has been created, as well as her strategies for addressing the need which includes motivating others and being incredibly resourceful. Rivers would agree that Donna’s impact on the community is everlasting and inspirational to others.
Even as a child, Donna’s family and friends say Donna always saw Rivers as a “diamond in the rough.” She believes in the location and value of the town. During Donna’s time away from Rivers while she taught in northern Manitoba and then [served as] an RCMP officer, she continued to share her passion for Rivers and anticipate her return to the community [in 2004]. She advocates Rivers has beautiful people in a beautiful location!
In 2006 Donna initiated Rivers Train Station Restoration Project. Donna’s efforts are not only leading to restoration of the station, but also recreating the value of the train station throughout town by weaving the train theme into the entire community. Signs, parks and train-theme structures are now incorporated into the beautification of Millennium Park and in the downtown area.
Donna worked at getting a grant to beautify the lots in front of the pharmacy and on the east side of a restaurant. Donna was able to have the lawn bowling building updated with a new sign and paint. She obtained a grant to place the mural of a train conductor on the east wall of the newspaper building. Donna also obtained grant money to have new bricking installed around the flower bed in Rivers cenotaph park. This project will be finished within the next couple of years to facilitate the railway theme with grey bricks and match the grey granite of the soldier at the cenotaph.
Thanks to her work, we have new signs for Rivers Elementary School Playground Policy, garden beds which were created in honour of Rivers 100th anniversary [in 2013] and an exciting train planter which is in the process of coming together in four parts as a highlight of our playground and a way for us to be connected to the railway history and theme of our community. Donna also worked with the high school to create a beautiful sitting area with planters, tables and benches as an outdoor study area for students. Currently Donna is working with our high school principal on a Wetlands Centre of Excellence in which Donna has already helped the school raise more than $30,000.
Donna was the very first president of Rivers & Area Community Foundation and continues as president. When a local farmer [Bernard Goekoop] bequeathed approximately $400,000 to Rivers Community Foundation, his will also indicated that in the absence of Rivers having a foundation, it would all go to Brandon & Area Community Foundation. Donna took the lead and completed all the paperwork that was required with Canada Revenue Agency and within one year [2008], Rivers and Area Community Foundation Ltd. had charitable status.
As the secretary of Riverdale District Health Auxillary, Donna has organized a variety of fundraising activities in which proceeds are used to help health care. Healthy Rivers was started under the hospital auxiliary [Donna is on that committee] and she’s also on Rivers Health Action Committee.
Donna’s leadership and creativity was paramount in initiating and inspiring so many community projects. As her husband Al explains, “Donna wouldn’t ask someone to do something she wouldn’t do herself. She is courageous and driven by her passion.”
Even in her work as a councillor from 2006-10 during the creation of Riverdale Community Centre, Donna was paramount in making it happen. Donna always demonstrates that community is at the heart of everything she does. The entire community, as well as visitors coming to town, benefits from Donna’s work. She fosters sustainability and self-pride in the community. Working hard to improve community helps motivate and inspire others to do same thing. She sparks enthusiasm. Donna leads by example.
Congratulations, Donna, on winning the Premier’s Volunteer Service Award. She accepted the award from Premier Greg Selinger at a ceremony in Winnipeg on Tuesday, April 14.
