Awarded on: 1998-12-10
Norman Byrnes, Azilda, Ont.
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
In a quiet and unassuming way, Norman Byrnes consistently gives of his time and resources to help his community. He regularly works several hours a week with a crisis telephone line and has been known to venture out late on a winter's night to find lodging for a stranded traveller. Mr. Byrnes also organized the collection and distribution of food for the local food bank and provided fuel for its operation. In addition to supporting many charitable causes, he is an integral part of his parish, bringing communion to shut-ins, doing voluntary treasury work, and visiting and helping parishioners who are elderly, sick or in need.