Roddickton-Bide Arm woman named Recreation NL’s Volunteer of the Year

RODDICKTON, N.L. — Countless hours of volunteering have paid off for Janet Budden of Roddickton-Bide Arm.
At a ceremony in Grand-Falls Windsor, Budden was recently named NL Recreation’s Volunteer of the Year.
Per Recreation NL, the award “recognizes a volunteer for outstanding efforts and invaluable contributions to the development of recreation.”
Budden was awarded for her work with the Roddickton-Bide Arm Recreation Committee. She is one of three members on the committee, joined by Linda Hancock and Tracy Randell.
Hancock and Randell nominated her for the award.
The committee is involved in operating the Roddickton-Bide Arm arena, from January to April, as well as an assortment of community events.
This year, Budden says they are organizing a summer program for children. They’re hoping to organize softball and some other activities for them.
The committee also helps organize the snowmobile races in Roddickton-Bide Arm each year.
Budden says volunteering is rewarding because it keeps her busy and keeps the children in the community active.
“It’s only the three of us on the committee, so we got to keep it going, to keep the kids happy,” she told The Northern Pen. “We got to get something for the kids, because there’s not a whole lot for them to do.”
Budden says she was surprised when she first received the phone call, informing her she had won.
“I didn’t know anything about it,” she said. “I didn’t know what to say.”
She says it feels good to be honoured for her hard work. But Budden says what would make it even rewarding is if more people in her town took up volunteering.
She hopes people in Roddickton-Bide Arm will see the recognition she has received and become inspired to volunteer.
Budden thanked Hancock and Randell for nominating her.