Magical Moments in Bonnie Woloschuk’s Life

Magical Moments in Bonnie Woloschuk’s Life

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

April 21 was the one of the most memorable moments of Bonnie Woloschuk’s life according to Woloschuk! This was the day which Woloschuk was honoured with the Sovereign’s Medal for volunteers presented for volunteers on behalf of the Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada. Woloschuk was invited to Ottawa to receive the medal during a ceremony held on this day.

The Governor General of Canada website stated over the past decade, Woloschuk has raised nearly $200,000 for both Diabetes Canada and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada. Her efforts developing fundraising efforts, coaching other volunteers and running in numerous marathons have helped in the fight against these illnesses.

Woloschuk resides half-time of the year on a farm near Vegreville and half-time in Edmonton where she is a nurse.

Woloschuk said she felt blessed to receive this honour. “I feel this way knowing that the money that we raised has helped people in need. I also feel overwhelmed as it is hard to believe that you are being recognized by the Governor General for what you do which is helping others and just a normal part of living to you. As well, I felt honoured as it is a very special experience that you know doesn’t happen to everyone and the whole event was very surreal. It was just like you were imagining it was happening to someoneelse not you; someone who has done bigger things should be getting an award not yourself as you don’t feel what you have done is anything extraordinary. It is just collectively working together getting something done and creating wonderful memories working with various teams and then you realize that you have helped earn a lot of money for various charities. It is overwhelming that you can make that type of difference,” Woloschuk expressed with a gleam in her eyes and heartfelt emotion in her voice.

Bonnie Woloschuk.

(Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

“My mom aspired me to volunteer as she was always my hero. She always helped others.

My journey with volunteering has been timeless; I have been volunteering as long as I remember. I volunteer because it gives me a purpose in life. It doesn’t feel like work or volunteering; it just feels like my lifestyle.

Some of the other associations I have volunteered with have been the Rainbow Society, Zustrich Society which is an organization for Ukraine, the arts, sporting events, Northlands and any new event that is around, I try it once and see what happens and I usually land up loving it and continuing to volunteer for it.

The places I volunteer for which I received this medal for are near and dear to my heart because I personally know family and friends who are diagnosed with diabetes and leukemia and lymphoma. My mother was a diabetic who lost both of her legs to diabetes. The highlight of my life were taking my mom to places in her wheelchair after she had her amputations. It is special to know I can make a difference this way. I completed 95 full marathons. My favorite marathon was in Kyiv which I completed three years ago. I liked this one the best because I am Ukrainian. So, it was great to run in Ukraine which is where my father was born.

Anyone can volunteer. I would highly recommend for everyone to help others as you will be pleasantly surprise of how well things come together, the people that you meet, the fun that you have, and the memories that you make. I get great joy to see people on the receiving end. It is not about me. It is amazing to see someone have a life altering experience or have a better quality of life.