Stepping up for my New Brunswick – Recipients
Through the program Stepping up for my New Brunswick, members of the public had until the end of the year 2020 to nominate individuals they felt had stepped up in various and meaningful ways to minimize the impact of the pandemic in the province.
A total of 89 New Brunswickers have been recognized for their exemplary acts of service.
“Over the course of the year, New Brunswickers have demonstrated resilience, leadership, generosity and support for one another,” said Premier Blaine Higgs. “From all regions of New Brunswick, individuals went above and beyond, for their neighbours, friends, family members and their communities. On behalf of all New Brunswickers, it’s with great honour and admiration, that I sincerely thank each of the individuals who have been stepping up for our province, as well as the people who submitted their nominations.”
Vicky Fraser
As the director of the L'Envolée child care centre in Fredericton North, Ms. Fraser opened the facility as an emergency centre for self-employed workers during the lockdown, and it was the only Francophone centre in the region.
Vicky Buchan
A small business owner, Ms. Buchan prioritized her clients' wellbeing and developed creative ways to exercise "together apart" by moving classes online overnight and offering at-home workouts
Ryan Lepoidvin
Mr. Lepoidvin stepped up for others by continuously delivering food and essentials to those in need.
Andrea Crossley
As a Nurse Manager of Labour and Delivery at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital in Fredericton, Ms. Crossley demonstrated exceptional leadership in ensuring the safety of the staff, nurses, doctors and their families, while also providing outstanding care to patients and keeping everyone apprised of critical information.
Vicki Palmer-Boer
Ms. Palmer-Boer initiated a movement to support front line workers by providing them gift baskets with local goods, including a gift card from her own store.
Paulo Jay Gurion
Mr. Gurion's provided much needed support and outreach, particularly for newly landed immigrants and newcomers in his community.
The Team at the Bayview Trucks & Equipment
The company and staff from across the regions (Saint John, Moncton, Fredericton, Bathurst, Woodstock, New Glasgow, Miramichi) worked tirelessly to support the trucking industry throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and continue to work the front lines in order to ensure that the essential needs of our province are met.
Coretta Abbott
Ms. Abbott made hundreds of face masks for family and friends, and for local nursing homes as well.
Dustin Leclerc
Mr. Leclerc was instrumental in ensuring the delivery of more than 50,000 meal/snack portions to nearly 3,000 individuals with accessibility and/or financial barriers during the red and orange stages of the pandemic. He was recognized for his exemplary leadership and commitment to the food bank community.
His Worshop Mr. Charles Bernard
His Worship Mr. Charles Bernard was recognized for his outstanding dedication to his community throughout the pandemic.
Joey Couture and Sunny Bosca
Small business owners, the Couture Boscas, immediately put the necessary precautions in place with curbside service to serve clients safely and deliver food to those in need.
Burpee Wagner
Mr. Wagner volunteers for organizations such as the Elks, Legion, Rotary, Masonic and Trinity Anglican, and was a great support to his neighbours and friends throughout the pandemic. He was recognised for his volunteerism, kindness, generosity and leadership.
Joy Howie
A nurse at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Ms. Howie was recognized for ensuring the units (post Anesthetic Care Unit, Day Surgery, and Pre-Operative Clinic) ran smoothly despite procedural and policy changes as a result of the pandemic.
Dr. Chelsey Ellis
A microbiologist, Dr. Ellis' was recognized for her dedication and efforts to put the necessary protocols in place to protect the citizens of our province.
Jeshua Becker
Mr. Becker was recognized for his initiative and leadership in applying for a community youth grant which he used to help struggling families through the pandemic by delivering food boxes to them.
April Medford
Ms. Medford was recognized for the delivery of groceries to many seniors and for preparing home cooked meals for those less fortunate.
Hanna Hood
Ms. Hood, a Licensed Pratical Nursing student, was recognized for her work at the Department of Health doing health checks, and for volunteering in Campbellton when the outbreak hit that region.
Brenda Anthony
Ms. Anthony worked with "Masks in Need" to ensure that people who could not socially distance received masks and supplies to help keep them safe. She is affectionately known as “Lovey” to the people she serves, and was recognized for her dedication to the vulnerable in her community.
Celine Sterckel
Ms. Sterckel, a high school student, was recognized for her creativity, leadership and generosity in fundraising money for the student lunch bag program through Knights Community at Moncton High School.
Annie St-Laurent
Ms. St-Laurent was recognized for her dedication to the effective operation of the COVID clinic at the Saint-Quentin hospital and for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of patients.
Nancy Pipes
Ms. Pipes was recognized for her tremendous effort in sewing nearly 1,900 masks which were distributed to almost every province and territory in our country.
Brenda Kotsabasakis
A registered nurse, Ms. Kotsabasakis, was recognized for her dedication, commitment and concern for the wellbeing of others by working long hours while living at a hotel five hours away from her family, to volunteer in Campbellton when the region was significantly affected by the outbreak and in need of support.
Hannah Crouse
Ms. Crouse was recognized for her leadership and dedication to the vulnerable in the Tantramar region, by connecting Mount Allison student volunteers with seniors to help combat social isolation and food insecurity during the pandemic.
Denise McLaughlin
Ms. McLaughlin was recognized for her leadership and initiative in organizing the "COVID Show" - a series of completely free shows, presented by a full line-up of New Brunswick artists, Live on the event's Facebook page.
Pam Pastirik
Ms. Pastirik established NB COPES Child and Family Grief Center to support families grieving the loss of a pregnancy, child/sibling or parent. She was recognized for her commitment to continuing to honour and uphold those who are grieving by supporting them through the period of isolation during the pandemic.
Michael Elliott
Mr. Elliott, a fauna and nature lover, was recognized for his leadership with the scout program and for helping youth to develop an appreciation for nature and conservation throughout the pandemic.
Doug and Tamara Harper
The Harpers, owners of a local pet food store, were recognized for their concern for the wellbeing of others and ensuring the security of their customers throughout the pandemic.
Greg Fergus
Mr. Fergus was recognized for his exceptional leadership as well as for his concern for the wellbeing of others in ensuring the safety and security of colleagues throughout the pandemic.
Annie Rhynard Dunn
Ms. Rhynard Dunn was recognized for her tremendous contribution to her community during the pandemic in raising over $10,000 for her local food bank.
David Hansen
Mr. Hansen was recognized for sharing his musical talent by hosting weekly Facebook livestream shows throughout the pandemic providing much needed social connection.
Sherry Steeves
Ms. Steeves was recognized for her compassion and kindness and for the countless volunteer hours she spent booking visitation for the residents of the Jorden Life Care Centre and their families throughout the pandemic.
Holly McNeil
Ms. McNeil, a Recreational Director, was recognized for her dedication and concern for others in ensuring the health and wellness of members of her community.
Belinda Nason
Ms. Nason, a small business owner, was recognized for her dedication in maintaining a safe and accessible facility throughout the pandemic ensuring clients could obtain essential food products.
Eric Chiasson
Mr. Chiasson, a retired paramedic, makes the health and well-being of others his priority. He took it upon himself to help many neighbours in his community through gestures of kindness such as snow blowing in the winter, mowing lawns in the summer, doing health checks and delivering meals prepared by his wife to elderly neighbours, and even going out to find a neighbour’s lost cat. He was recognized for his concern and compassion for the well-being of others.
Dr. Kanza Hashmat
Dr. Hashmat was recognized for her tremendous generosity and compassion in supporting immigrant families and international students by assisting with travel considerations and access to halal food and mental health resources throughout the pandemic.
Alex Hahn
Mr. Hahn was recognized for his concern for the wellbeing of others by redirecting funds toward transgender/non-binary/genderfluid youth via the Atlantic Wellness Centre.
Mike Bravener
Mr. Bravener was recognized for creatively sharing his musical talents online through story telling and song providing much needed inspiration and social connection.
YCAN Cohort
The members of the YMCA Community Action Network (YCAN) cohort (Katelyn, Hailey, Lydia, Emilie, Amelia, Pierce and Jessie) were recognzied for their incredible kindness and creativity in adapting their project focus to celebrate and encourage 2020 graduates and youth.
Sandra Carrier
Ms. Carrier, a mother recovering from breast cancer and chemotherapy, turned her attention to making masks for those with particular needs, such as our deaf community and our educators.
Claire LaBelle
Ms. LaBelle was recognized for her incredible community efforts as the director of the Early Childhood Family Resource Centre of Westmorland-Albert in ensuring the safety of the people of our province.
Shelly Tompkins
Ms. Tompkins was recognized for her dedication and commitment in ensuring the health and safety of her colleagues.
Kevin Lee and the team at the Dalhousie Jean Coutu
Mr. Lee and the Dalhousie Jean Coutu team were recognized for their dedication and commitment toward ensuring the health and safety of their staff and clients as well as for their generosity and kindness in supplying local nursing homes with PPE.
Janique Robichaud-Savoie
Ms. Robichaud-Savoie was recognized for her outstanding work on the team of Dr. Jennifer Russell during the state of emergency last March.
Carolle de Ste-Croix
Ms. de Ste-Croix was recognized for her efforts as a key member of the COVID-19 Tantramar Task Force in working tirelessly for the benefit of the citizens of her community.
Stephane Comtois
Mr. Comtois (AKA Biker Bunny) was recognized for his kindness and generosity towards the people of the Dieppe and Moncton area.
Tracey Ryan and Charlie B (dog)
Ms. Ryan and her beloved dog Charlie B were recognized for their compassion and devotion to helping first responders through canine therapy.
Marie Crouse
Ms. Crouse was recognized for her kindness and generosity in sewing over 6,500 masks for family, friends, school children and teachers as well as for the Hayward House Recovery Centre and other organizations in her community.
The Team at the Vestiaire St-Joseph Inc.
Members of the team at the Vestiaire St-Joseph Food Bank were recognized for their dedication, creativity and community leadership in ensuring that clients continued to receive services in a safe and timely manner.
Kathleen MacMillan
Ms. MacMillan, a medical student from Miramichi, was recognized for leading the Dalhousie Students for Healthcare Providers initiative for the province of New Brunswick and encouraging qualified students to volunteer to assist healthcare providers in the region.
The Team at the Salisbury Helping Hands Food Bank
Members of the team at the Salisbury Helping Hands Food Bank were recognized for their dedication, creativity and community leadership in ensuring that clients continued to receive services in a safe and timely manner.
Monique LeBlanc
Ms. LeBlanc was recognized for her thoughtfulness and concern for the wellbeing of her neighbor.
Erin Page-Foster
Ms. Page-Foster, a travel agency manager, was recognized for going above and beyond to meet the travel needs of not only her clients but those across the province as well.
Daniel Morneault
Mr. Morneault, a small business owner, was recognized for his concern for the well-being of his clients and for his incredible community efforts at the nursing home in his region.
Dr. Camille Haddad
Dr. Haddad was recognized for his exemplary efforts and engagement on the front lines as well as his leadership throughout the pandemic, to ensure the safety of his patients while maintaining the required protocols to safely offer care.
Gabrielle Pitt
Ms. Pitt, a registered nurse, was recognized for her dedication, commitment and concern for the wellbeing of others by volunteering in Moncton when the region was significantly affected by the outbreak and in need of support.
Marty Hood
Mr. Hood, a former Licensed Practical Nurse, was recognized for his dedication, commitment and concern for the wellbeing of others by volunteering in Campbellton when the region was significantly affected by the outbreak and in need of support.
Coralie Hopkins
Ms. Hopkins was recognized for her initiative, leadership and support in guiding more than 600 massage therapists across the province with resources and information to adapt their practices in order to meet COVID protocols.
Jeanne Charest
Ms. Charest, a retired nurse, was recognized for her dedication, commitment and concern for the wellbeing of others by offering her services in Campbellton when the region was significantly affected by the outbreak and in need of support.
Tammy Duplessis
Ms. Duplessis was recognized for her work with the Saint John Handi-Bus in taking people to get their groceries, to appointments at the hospital and for various other essential trips.
Suzanne Munn
Ms. Munn was recognized for her dedication and commitment during the fire season in ensuring the overall safety and wellbeing of the staff and the pilots while they were in quarantine.
Cheryl Hicks
Ms. Hicks, a small business owner, was recognized for her excellent service to her clients and for her leadership to her team while ensuring the safety of all.
Elisabeth French
Ms. French, a registered nurse, was recognized for her dedication, commitment and concern for the wellbeing of others by volunteering in Campbellton when the region was significantly affected by the outbreak and in need of support.
The Team at the Peter McKee Community Food Centre
Members of the team at the Peter McKee Community Food Centre were recognized for their dedication, creativity and community leadership in ensuring that clients continued to receive services in a safe and timely manner.
Lindsay Cary
Ms. Cary coordinated volunteers of the Tantramar School Food Response and applied for grants to ensure that over 100 families in the area continued to receive food weekly during the state of emergency.
Rotary Club of Chatham
Members of the Rotary Club of Chatham were recognized for their generosity and community leadership in donating to worthy causes in their region.
Jenny Dines
Ms. Dines was regognized for her kindness and generosity in sewing over 1,000 masks for those in need.
Pauline Richard
Ms. Richard, a daycare owner, was recognized for her provision of childcare services for essential workers throughout the pandemic.
Jeffrey and Nicole Matheson
The Mathesons, small business owners, were recognized for their concern for the wellbeing of others by providing home deliveries to clients.
Annabel Welling
Ms. Welling was recognized for her volunteer work with the Codiac First Touch Soccer Club in ensuring the safety and security of the players.
The Team at SNB Accounts Payable
The employees of the Accounts Payable Team at Service New Brunswick exhibited great dedication throughout the pandemic in order to maintain operations.
Mélyssa Connors
As the Director of care at Résidence Mgr Melançon Inc. in Saint-Quentin, Ms. Connors was recognized for her remarkable efforts to ensure the safety of the residents, the team, and their families.
Dale Hicks
Dale Hicks at the Food Depot Alimentaire was recognized for their dedication, creativity and community leadership in ensuring clients continued to receive services in a safe and timely manner.
Anne Gionet
Ms. Gionet was recognized for her dedication and commitment to ensuring that the clients of the local food bank continued to receive food services during the pandemic.
Betty Yorke
Ms. Yorke, a small business owner, was recognized for her concern for the wellbeing of others by immediately putting the necessary precautions in place to offer curbside service to her clients while ensuring the safety and security of colleagues throughout the pandemic.
Tara Albert
Ms. Albert coordinated volunteers of the Tantramar School Food Response and applied for grants to ensure that over 100 families in the area continued to receive food weekly during the state of emergency.
Chief Sacha LaBillois-Kennedy
Chief LaBillois-Kennedy was recognized for her concern for the wellbeing of the members of her community, particularly the Elders.
Jilanna Eagles
Ms. Eagles was recognized for her efforts, positive attitude and energy in encouraging fellow citizens to buy local and to vacation within our province.
Adam Bruce Murray
Mr. Murray was recognized for his dedication and commitment to building a COVID-19 tracing application in an effort to assist fellow citizens.
Reverend Ralph McRae
Reverend McRae was recognized for providing a site for COVID screening at the St Joseph’s Catholic Church and for his care and compassion toward workers and volunteers.
The Team at the Food Depot Alimentaire
Members of the team at Food Depot Alimentaire were recognized for their dedication, creativity and community leadership in ensuring clients continued to receive services in a safe and timely manner.
Daniel Cullen
Mr. Cullen is a small business owner who immediately put the necessary precautions in place with curbside service in order to serve his clients safely throughout the pandemic.
Ann Lester
Ms. Lester was recognized for making masks for nursing homes, making meals and getting groceries for friends, and for painting rocks with inspiring messages to leave on the beach for others to find.
Chelsea McKinley
Ms. McKinley made hundreds of masks for others, while managing her school work and completing the bronze level of the Duke of Edinburgh program.