Joyce Stewart Honoured with Sovereign Medal for Volunteers

Joyce Stewart Honoured with Sovereign Medal for Volunteers

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Vegreville resident Joyce Stewart has been volunteering for five decades but she said when she got the first phone call from the Governor General’s office asking to speak to her, she thought it was a scam. “I told them she was out but they phoned back. Then I knew it wasn’t a scam.”

When asked how she felt when she received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, Joyce replied, “I was overwhelmed because there are so many people that do a lot of volunteering but they never get recognized.”

Joyce said she began volunteering because, “I always felt that we are put on this earth to serve each other. It was just natural for me to volunteer, but I will admit my grandmother inspired me because she always told me, if you have a talent you have to use it. So, if there is a need, I will do my best to help out.”

L-R. Joyce Stewart receives her medal from Vegreville Mayor, Tim MacPhee.

(Town of Vegreville/Submitted Photo)

Husband Rod Stewart stated that Joyce is a 48 year member of Royal Canadian Legion and is still active. She was a Sunday school teacher and Superintendent until 1980. She was a volunteer craft instructor at the local school for mentally challenged youth. She also taught basic literacy and numeracy skills through VegMin Learning Society as well as serving on the Board of Directors as Treasurer. She also used the opportunity to teach basic life skills.

During a later career as a teaching aide with Elk Island Public Schools she taught students who were developmentally delayed, and formed close bonds with several students, and maintained a friendship association with them after their school years was over. Through this association she volunteered for many years as a respite caregiver.

Joyce Stewart with her medal.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Joyce also did one-on-one instructions in reading and mathematics to students at Lakeland College. Additionally, she became a Block Parent. After working as a volunteer from 1994 Joyce accepted the role of volunteer coordinator for the annual local mammography clinic.

In a more incidental fashion she served as a badge tester for the Girl Guides for several years, instructed crafts at St. Mary’s Catholic School and knitted mitts for students at St. Martin’s Catholic School. She also worked for several years at the local food bank.

From 1999 to 2004 she volunteered at the Vegreville Regional Museum. She also instructed knitting classes to youth and adults.

As a Canadian veteran Joyce is especially interested in the welfare of other veterans, and has assisted them in various capacities. For her work with veterans she was awarded the lapel pin- Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in 2019.

Joyce Stewart’s medals and award.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

She has been a long-time supporter of the local Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron and in 2017 a Cadet ‘Volunteer of the Year’ was created in her name.

In 2012, Joyce was also honoured with the 60th Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.

At the April 25 town council meeting, Vegreville Mayor Tim MacPhee presented her with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers on behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.

Joyce was invited to Ottawa to receive the medal during a ceremony held on April 21, 2022, but elected to accept the honour in Vegreville.

The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers recognizes exceptional volunteer achievements from across the country and aboard, celebrating a wide range of voluntary contributions. It is an official honour created by the Crown and is part of the Canadian Honours System.