Cathy Dobson/The Independent

The executive director of Sarnia/Lambton’s largest food bank, shelter and soup kitchen has received national recognition for the volunteering he does outside of work hours.

Myles Vanni who operates The Inn of the Good Shepherd, accepted the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers from the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, at a recent ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

It’s considered Canada’s highest honour for volunteer service.

Vanni was recognized for making more than a dozen overseas trips with Scouts Canada youth to build water wells, medical clinics and other facilities in developing countries.

“I don’t do what I do for recognition,” said Vanni.  “But it sure does feel good and it is very humbling.”

He was honoured with 60 others from across Canada for making “significant, sustained and unpaid” contributions to their communities.

“Thank you for devoting your precious time to improving the lives of others,” Simon said in a speech during the April 30 ceremony. 

Since 2005, Vanni has led a dozen trips to Belize and Uganda with hundreds of local Scouts where they spent two to three weeks at a time building water wells and other projects.

Under his leadership, Sarnia youth worked side-by-side with Ugandans last August to convert a building into a medical clinic.

Vanni is also a Rotarian and is working with the five Rotary clubs in Sarnia-Lambton to raise money to furnish, equip and staff the clinic.  

“It’s such an experience for us all,” he said.  “The kids learn about hard work and the living conditions in Uganda. 

“They do an amazing job and come home with a new outlook on their lives here.

“For me, volunteering is about working with younger people and seeing their leadership capacity develop.”

Vanni, who travelled to Rideau Hall with his wife Cathy and nine-year-old grandson Corban, was also recognized for the free Community Volunteer Income Tax Program operated through the Inn. 

Since 2006, under Vanni’s supervision, the program has recruited 20 volunteers who help thousands of lower-income residents file their income tax in Sarnia, Petrolia, Forest, Watford, Aamjiwnaang, Kettle Point, Walpole and Corunna