Joan Allaert is being honoured for over 40 years of helping the community in Dawn-Euphemia.

She was given the Senior of the Year award by Dawn-Euphemia Council Monday.

Allaert began her active volunteer life in 1975 with the Women’s Institute. She joined the Rutherford Women’s Institute then and still belongs to the organization today. That’s taken a bit of work; as the membership of the Institute shrank, branches closed and Allaert had to find new places to serve. She’s been a member in Rutherford, Bentpath – where her great grandmother was one of the original members – and now is part of a Dresden-area group. She’s also served on the southwestern Ontario board and helped to organize regional conferences for the Institute.

Allaert has also been active in 4-H as a leader and in the Dresden Agricultural Society.

In 1987, Allaert helped to establish a Meals on Wheels for the Dresden area. And she has been active in her church community, serving on the council of St. Michael’s Parish and becoming the first woman to chair the group.

Allaert has been a canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society for two decades, and walked in the annual Multiple Sclerois fundraiser for almost as long.

In retirement, she ushers at the Capitol Theater and the Chatham Cultural Centre.

It’s clear Allaert loves what she does saying “volunteering is for creating experiences for growth, learning and enjoyment.”

Mayor Al Broad thanked Allaert for her service Monday saying the municipality depends on volunteers like Allaert to help out.