Volunteer group behind Balcom Centre receives Invisible Champion Award
PORT DUFFERIN – The Samuel R. Balcom Centre Association (SRBCA) here has been recognized for its work in the community with a prestigious provincial award.
At a ceremony in Halifax on May 29, Andrew (Andy) Barkhouse – the association’s events coordinator – accepted an Invisible Champion Award on behalf of the association. The award is one of the honours presented annually by the Bhayana Family Foundation and the United Way.
“She recognized what we have been trying to do in our community, trying to keep our community involved, especially our aging community around us,” Barkhouse told The Journal of Lisa Snyder, who nominated the association, noting she is a past recipient of the award for her work with LEA Place Women’s Resource Centre.
He added, “We want to keep them connected to the centre and to each other.”
During the celebration, Barkhouse said he and SRBCA treasurer Matt Holzer – who accompanied him – had a memorable encounter with Raksha Bhayana, a member of the family that co-sponsors the honours.
“They presented us with a beautiful award and a $1,000 prize,” he noted.
Barkhouse explained that the Invisible Champion Award is given to an individual or non-profit organization in recognition of community service, providing events to all members of the community, encouraging community involvement and providing a place where all are welcome, and serving the community as best as possible.
The Bhayana Family Foundation celebrates and honours Invisible Champions – recognizing individuals and staff of non-profit organizations for their extraordinary contributions in transforming lives and communities across Canada. More than 1,600 Invisible Champion Awards have been presented since their inception.
Barkhouse said SRBCA members are “grateful, appreciative and lucky” to receive the recognition.
“There are so many great organizations out there who are not being recognized,” he said, adding that the centre has a legacy of decades of great leadership, and that all his board members want to do is live up to that history.
He added, “I only hope, in the future, no matter who the custodians of this community centre are, that it stays active and it’s always an important part of the surrounding community. It’s really one of the best facilities around.”
Originally an elementary school, the centre was next taken over by the fire department, eventually evolving into a community centre, as well as a comfort centre.
The association fields requests from residents for specific needs, including fundraising for medical expenses, support for school initiatives and more. Meetings of organizations and various events are held there, including an annual Halloween celebration, bingo, open mics, jamborees and shows by various musicians. The centre is also renowned for its suppers, especially hot roast beef dinners, according to Sheet Harbour resident Janice Christie.
Barkhouse shared that he has loved being part of the community centre for the past eight years, and he prays for its continued success.
“We at the SRBCA are very proud of all our board members and dedicated volunteers,” he offered. “I just can’t stress enough the importance of the members and volunteers to the success of the centre – they are few, but amazing. Without them, the hall just becomes another empty building.”
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Joanne Jordan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Guysborough Journal
