Jeanne Cronk, Ron Dube lauded for decades of volunteerism and community service at Rotary event
Placing the needs of their neighbours first earned two Southern Victoria residents Rotary International’s highest honour at a Paul Harris Awards event on Oct. 25 in Perth-Andover.
Jeanne Cronk and Ron Dube were named Paul Harris Fellows by the Perth-Andover Rotary Club. The two volunteers were nominated by community members, citing decades of community service and volunteering to help children, seniors and worthy causes.
Sharron Moffatt nominated Cronk for the award, saying Cronk is always generous with her time and talent.
“I nominated Jeanne Cronk for the Paul Harris Fellowship because she exemplifies Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self,” Moffatt said. “Her volunteer work is a testament to her commitment to service the community.”
Cronk worked for decades as an LPN and a cardiologist tech at Hotel Dieu of St. Joseph Hospital, serves as a lay reader at Trinity Anglican Church, leads services at Victoria Glen Manor, and volunteers at the Hullabaloo Music Festival, community choir, school breakfast program, Christmas Cheer, and helping those suffering from addiction. She also provides home care and cooks meals for seniors.
“She has a very selfless and compassionate spirit. She walks the talk of her faith with humility and no expectation of recognition,” Moffatt said.
Carol Godbout-Kinney, Cronk’s sister-in-law, recalled Cronk’s early life growing up in Muniac, where there was no running water or indoor plumbing. Cronk’s early experiences honed a ‘can-do attitude’ throughout her life.
“Jeanne always took time to continue learning… always to connect with people and volunteer to help people. Jeanne is very committed to her family, community and church, if anyone was going through rough times, Jeanne tried to help,” Godbout-Kinney said. “Her children and grandchildren admire her very much and love her very much.”
Cronk thanked Rotarians, her friends and family for the award.
“We have been given many talents to share with others, and that is what I like to do… We are taught to Love God and to love our neighbours as ourselves… Generally, we all remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” Cronk told the audience.
Quiet dedication and compassion
In her nomination of Ron Dube, Jennifer Eagan said she recommended her father-in-law for his quiet dedication and compassion that has touched so many lives.
“Ron has been an active and dependable member of his community for decades, a long-standing member of both the (Perth) Elks Lodge and Knights of Columbus. He has consistently given his time, energy and hearty support to local initiatives, events and charitable efforts… He gives freely and quietly because he cares.”
Ron Gaunce, a fellow Elks member and long-time friend, told the audience that Dube put service above self, but his family comes first. He predicted Dube’s volunteerism would lead to a long life.
“Volunteerism makes you feel better and healthier… We need to encourage young people to get out and volunteer to do something for somebody else, an act of kindness. You aren’t expecting anything in return at all, you want to do something good for someone else.”
Gaunce provided a list of Dube’s “acts of kindness” – a member of the Perth Elks for more than 25 years, dedicating thousands of hours to the Jaycees, the Knights of Columbus, countless benefit breakfasts and dinners, volunteering with senior hockey, and even organizing fundraising events for newcomers who lost their homes in a fire.
Ron Dube joked the tributes sounded like a “celebration of life, but I’m still here”, but said he was honoured to be chosen by Rotarians for the Paul Harris award. He congratulated fellow recipient Jeanne Cronk for her community service.
“We all enjoy volunteering, but it’s the results of what you do with it. We don’t do it to get a reward… I want to thank everyone for their kind words,” Dube said.
Awards will help fight polio
Marcel Gervais, district governor for Rotary North Atlantic, informed the Paul Harris recipients and others that the money donated on their behalf will be used for Rotary International projects, including the ongoing effort to eradicate polio worldwide.
“Rotary clubs in our district donated to the End Polio Now campaign and I would like to recognize the money the Rotary Club of Perth-Andover gave to end polio now…. As Rotarians we are committed to making a positive impact on the world,” Gervais said.
