• Awarded on: November 28, 2006

Lavina Jean Poole, Newton Robinson, Ontario
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award

No stranger to hardship and hard work, Lavina Jean Poole's genuine compassion for others evolved from a tragic farming accident involving her husband. Despite taking on greater family responsibilities, she has dedicated much of her life to community service, volunteering over 40 years for emergency services and for the Town of Alliston. She has often spent weekends assisting emergency personnel at local events and has worked as a dispatcher for the town police. Since 1996, she has logged many hours with the Children's Aid Society of the County of Simcoe, transporting children to medical appointments and family visits. More recently, Mrs. Poole has devoted considerable time to maintaining her local church and preparing fundraising dinners.