Two Red Cross volunteers honoured at the Hommage bénévolat-Québec ceremony

Topics: Quebec, Volunteer
April 25, 2013

(Montreal) – During the award ceremony for the Hommage bénévolat-Québec, held last Tuesday at the Vieille-Capitale, Ms. Pauline Marois, Premier of Quebec, and Ms. Agnès Maltais, Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity, responsible for community action and volunteer action, acknowledged the commitment and dedication of Mishell Potvin from Jonquière and Joël Filion from Lévis, both Red Cross volunteers. The Hommage bénévolat-Québec award is issued to underscore the outstanding commitment and valuable contribution of volunteers from all Quebec regions. Its purpose is to reward the efforts of citizens in their communities in order to foster and develop volunteerism.

Mishell Potvin

Mr. Potvin has been volunteering in his community in Saguenay for 54 years. He has long been involved with the region’s young people and underprivileged people. As a Red Cross volunteer, he has contributed to major operations such as during the repatriation of Canadian citizens following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. As part of his volunteering in fundraising, among the many fundraisers organized every year Mishell is very proud of the Red Cross campaign held at Alcan.

Joël Filion

Over the years, this Lévis resident has stood out by receiving many honours and awards through his involvement in science and sports contests. With his quick, inquisitive mind, volunteer involvement for him is an opportunity to act proactively for his community. As a student in the Faculty of Medicine at Laval University he exhibits a great deal of determination, which continually leads him to outdo himself and take on initiatives, with the result that his volunteer involvement is significant. As a Red Cross volunteer since 2009, he has tackled a huge challenge by agreeing to look after the logistics of the Red Cross first aid services during large-scale cultural and sporting events.

The Red Cross takes action here as it does around the world

With its network of volunteers all across Quebec the Red Cross responds more than 1,000 times a year, an average of three times a day, to provide emergency assistance to thousands of people. It also develops prevention programs, helps communities prepare and provides emotional and physical support to those who have lost everything in disasters. The organization relies on a network of 5,000 volunteers, who support its activities and contribute to its funding.

For more information, please contact:

Media Services
Canadian Red Cross, Quebec Division
1-888-418-9111

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