Volunteerism is an important part of what makes sports so great in this community, said Randy Kamp, Member of Parliament for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge-Mission

“If you know of another individual, a business or a not-for-profit organization that deserves a Prime Minister’s Volunteer Award, there is still time to nominate them. The current call for nominations is open until April 15, 2013,” he added.

Rich Goulet was among the first recipients to receive the Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards.

Joseph Richard “Rich” Goulet is a high school basketball coach at Pitt Meadows Secondary, as well as regional and provincial squads.

Goulet has been running programs for more than 40 years. His mentoring has left a lasting impression, promoting volunteerism and involvement long after students have graduated.

Goulet was recently inducted into the Basketball BC Hall of Fame. He is also well known for his fundraising efforts for athletic, arts, and cultural groups in the community.

“I am immensely proud to congratulate Mr. Goulet for receiving a Prime Minister’s Volunteer Award for Community Leader.

“Volunteerism is an important part of what makes Canada such a great country,” said “If you know of another individual, a business or a not-for-profit organization that deserves a Prime Minister’s Volunteer Award, there is still time to nominate them. The current call for nominations is open until April 15, 2013.”

St. Thomas More Collegiate Foundation was selected by Goulet to receive a one-time grant from the Harper Government.

As part of the recognition, each winner selected an eligible not-for-profit organization to receive a one-time grant of $5,000. Goulet chose the St. Thomas More Collegiate Foundation to receive the grant. The Foundation provides resources to help students at St. Thomas More Collegiate become engaged in local and global community projects.

The Prime Minister’s Volunteer Awards recognize the exceptional contributions of volunteers—including individuals, businesses and not-for-profit organizations—whose outstanding leadership has strengthened the well-being of their communities. The first recipients were recognized at an award ceremony held on December 14, 2012, in Ottawa.

Award recipients were selected through a three-step process: eligibility screening, a regional review, and a recommendation by a National Advisory Committee.

Almost half of all Canadians (47 percent) volunteer their time, energy, and skills to benefit their communities, with the replacement value of their work estimated to be around $14 billion, or the equivalent of nearly 1.1 million full-time jobs. Volunteers are crucial to Canada’s not-for-profit sector, which includes 161 000 registered charities and not-for-profit organizations. Businesses contribute to their communities in many ways as well. For example, in 2010, over half of employees who volunteered said they had received support to do so from their employer.

Visit www.pm.gc.ca/awards or www.facebook.com/PrixduPMAwards for more information about the PMVA, including past recipients and the current call for nominations.