Reading all
12 messages in thread
message board home
message board home
Next
8/12/2024 1:24:33 PM
 
Reply
or ReplyNewSubject
Section 4: General Subject: 2024 Annual Members Meeting Msg# 1209389
|
||||||
|
Peletier given Sam Wilkinson Volunteer Award On Saturday, Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue named Barbara Peletier as the recipient of the 2023 Sam Wilkinson Volunteer Award. Since 2003, the award has recognized local people who dedicate their time and talents to help others. The award also honors the memory of its namesake, 8-year-old Sam Wilkinson, who died in a tragic water accident in Ocean City. Sam played soccer in Ocean Pines and his father, Bob, was a volunteer coach for Ocean Pines Recreation programs. The award was established to recognize a volunteer within the Recreation and Parks Department. Donahue described Peletier as a tireless volunteer who has spent the last two decades helping groups including the Kiwanis, Worcester GOLD, the AARP, Diakonia, the Cricket Center, Star Charities, and the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department. “She learned from her mother at an early age to care for others before herself. The very young and the older folks have always had a special place in Barbara's heart,” Donahue said. As a young mother, Peletier raised three children, volunteered for their sports teams, and worked at a pediatrician’s office. She became an office manager for a general practitioner and later managed a cardiology office caring for geriatric patients. After retiring to Ocean Pines in 2003, Peletier quickly found ways to help the community through volunteer work. “As a Kiwanis member, she led numerous Kiwanis fundraisers,” Donahue said. That included pancake breakfasts, German dinners, fruit sales and raffle ticket sales. “At the Sunfest beer sales, the Kiwanis station sang and danced and were considered the most fun-loving vendor by the customers,” Donahue said. “For years, she ran the Kiwanis Dawg Team and became known for her home-baked mini-pies that the customers requested by name.” She also hosted cleanup days at Horses for the Handicapped events, organized Kiwanis Christmas parties, installation dinners and pancake breakfasts, and served two terms as president of the club. Donahue said Peletier supported Worcester GOLD for 20 years, donating gifts for two families at Christmas, school supplies in the fall, and turkeys at Thanksgiving. She also participated in AARP food drives and served as event organizer for many of the Star Charities events created by the late Anna Foultz. In recent years, Peletier ran the Diakonia homeless pantry, distributing bags of food to as many as 20 local families each day. She has participated in Cricket Center walks for abused children on the Ocean City Boardwalk, and she currently works with the Twilight Wish Foundation to fulfill wishes of local elderly. Donahue said Peletier has cooked for Recreation and Parks’ “Breakfast with Santa” events and helped in the Reindeer Lane gift shop. She also cooked and served breakfast for Easter events and set up and served food at Concerts in the Park. “Her latest volunteer opportunity came when she came to my office asking for some volunteer work,” Donahue said. “She scheduled times throughout a few weeks to come in and help me box up old paperwork, label boxes and make room for new stuff. While she was there, she could be found wandering into the kitchen, tidying things up.” From helping children, to the elderly, to Ocean Pines department heads, Peletier has always shown a giving spirit and boundless energy. “You can always call, and very rarely will she tell you no. She is always available for us no matter what it is. Today, she actually thought we needed her help for a craft class!” Donahue said with a laugh. “This year’s Volunteer of the Year is an amazing woman that we can always count on being a big part of all that we do here at the Recreation Department,” she continued. “We appreciate her more than she will ever know.” Peletier, in accepting the award, said she came there expecting to work. “Thank you all. I really appreciate it,” she said, adding to Donahue with a laugh, “I can’t trust you!” Image below from Joe Reynolds - Image Title: 2024 Annual Meeting Uploaded: 8/11/2024  Camera/Image Info Camera Make - Canon Camera Model - Canon EOS R5 Lens - RF24-105mm F4 L IS USM F-Stop - F/4 Shutter Speed - 1/80 sec Focal Length - 65 mm ISO-1250 |
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where: |
| Calendar |
Town Hall Touch of Italy - Assateague Room
1/16/2025 - 12:00 P.M. 3 days or less away! |
|
OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
1/25/2025 - 9: A.M. |
|
OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
2/22/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
|
OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
3/29/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
|
OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
4/26/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |