May 2024 – Abbeyfield Canada is recognizing three long-time volunteers with awards.

An Abbeyfield Champion Award is being given to Dewi Jones, of Lakefield, Ont. Abbeyfield Champion Award winners are selected by Abbeyfield Canada board members to recognize those volunteers who have made a huge contribution toward fundraising and commitment to the Abbeyfield movement.

Dewi has played a huge role in establishing the Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield and starting the work towards securing a location for the new House which will house 16 residents, a House manager, and two Trent University students. Working with the Trent Centre for Aging and other Society members, he has also undertaken fundraising efforts, such as community concerts, to launch and promote the provisional House within the community, and make the vision of offering a safe, friendly home for local independent seniors a reality.

Patricia Fornelli, of Vancouver, B.C., and Paul Glendenning, of Durham, Ont., are each receiving a Robert McMullan Award for Lifetime Volunteering Excellence. This award is given to an individual who has served as an Abbeyfield volunteer for 10 years or more and shown exemplary dedication to an Abbeyfield House, its residents and staff.

Patricia has been an active volunteer with Vancouver Abbeyfield House since 2009 and served as board treasurer for many years. Her steadfast dedication to Abbeyfield Vancouver has greatly helped the House to continue to provide safe, affordable housing for local seniors. She remains involved in the House as associate director and is a valuable resource for the House board.

Paul joined the board of Abbeyfield Houses Society of Durham in 2009, later serving as board president. He shared the Abbeyfield housing model concept with others through public speaking engagements. He also assisted with two golf tournament and Rubber Ducky races to raise funds for Durham House. At the House’s annual barbecue, he helped with setting up and served as the main cook. Recently Paul agreed to step back into the role of president/chair and continues to actively support the House residents and staff.

The 2024 award winners were announced at Abbeyfield Canada’s annual general meeting on May 25.

Abbeyfield Canada President Joe McReynolds congratulates the award winners and thanks them for their commitment as volunteers with the organization.

“Without dedicated volunteers like Dewi, Patricia and Paul, Abbeyfield Houses in their communities couldn’t begin and continue to provide an essential service to local seniors by meeting their housing needs. These awards are given to recognize that what you do makes a true difference,” he said.

For more information, please contact Andrea Geary at [email protected]