Madeleine Van Bergen, Vankleek Hill, Ont.
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
Madeleine Van Bergen is greatly devoted to her community. As a young girl, she knitted sweaters and mittens for soldiers during the Second World War. In the 50s and 60s, she was a part of the volunteer auxiliary at Notre-Dame Hospital in Hawkesbury and Saint-Charles Hospice in Ottawa. Mrs. Van Bergen has been a member of the Renaissance Golden Age committee of Saint-Bernardin for 26 years. Since 1984 she has organized over 300 educational and cultural trips for the committee. In 1988 she set up a home support service for seniors through Prescott and Russell Community Services, and she currently serves as secretary for the advisory committee to the Service d'entraide aux aînés.