We are thrilled to introduce you to the 2024 Kindness Award winner. You may not know her name, but on your travels around Thornbury you most certainly know who she is. The women who in all kinds of weather, rides her scooter with a beaming smile of her face, always on a mission to her next act of Kindness.
Kindness is a type of behavior marked by acts of generosity, consideration, caring, friendly, rendering assistance, or concern for others, without expecting praise or reward in return.
Joan Gaudet is that woman, and our 4th Annual Thornbury Clarksburg Rotary Kindness Award Winner. You now know her name!
18 years ago Joan arrived in Thornbury from Milton, where as a 10 year old she started her giving spirit by volunteering in Midland at the YMCA and later by driving for the Red Cross. Now in her 90th year the list of organizations Joan has lent her hand in helping is long. Her primary motivator is not recognition but daily opportunities to mingle and connect with fellow humans. She has offered her time and support to many local organizations in the past year: Music in the Park, Living with Parkinsons, Events for Life, Church events, Legion, Lions Club, Tree Trust, Library and the Marsh Street Centre to name a few. And on the side she collects eyeglasses to recycle.
At the Beaver Valley Outreach where Joan has volunteered for over a decade, she is known for her smile and welcoming spirit. While supporting their busy operation, she makes people feel at ease, chatting with the many clients who enter the door. She is a storyteller and loves to put a smile on people’s face. It is here where she also learns of the personal needs of those in the community.
In order to be kind, you have to have an intrinsic love of the human spirit and the stories behind the people you meet. The difference with Joan is that she opens her heart to people she doesn’t know. She sees a need and takes it upon herself to offer support in the most personal ways. When she learns that different people needed a place to stay, she opens her home for them. She has done this on numerous occasions. When people are sick she volunteers to care for their pets. She cooks and delivers meals. She has a list of those she calls each day to make sure they are OK. If you own a dog in this Town you know Joan, she will most likely have offered a dog treat. And maybe asked for a puppy. She loves animals and has helped with fundraising to support a local horse refuge centre.
Joan lives a long life of generosity, consideration and care for others, and seeks and renders assistance to those in need. Help the Thornbury-Clarksburg Rotary Club in congratulating Joan for her MANY acts of kindness!
