“Amazing feeling”: Volunteers who were honored during the victims and survivors of the crime week

Officers, nurses and volunteers who help people on the worst days of their lives were honored on Thursday with trophies and certificates in Orillia as part of victims and survivors of the crime week from May 11th to 17th.

This is the 20th year in which the week was recognized by the Canadian government to raise awareness of the challenges for victims and survivors of crime and at the same time emphasize the critical services, support and laws that are available to support them.

The local event, which was organized by the Central Region OPP and North Sim coe victim services (NSVS), mentions those who serve victims of crime and abuse in North Simcoe County, Barrie, Muskoka, Kawartha/Haliburton and Caledon/Duffer.

Three volunteers from Orillia – Ashley Best, Paige Depratto and Tiffany Güsse – were recognized after they were nominated by Kim Kneeshaw, Executive Director of NSVS.

“I think it's a really important event and I enjoy being part of the planning committee of this event every year,” said Kneeshaw.

“It is always a struggle to choose only three volunteers because we have an incredible group of volunteers. It is really important that the volunteers know that they saw, are valued. They are valued. They do incredible work in the community.”

They don't do it for recognition; They do it because they want to give something back, added Kneeshaw.

Voluntary completes a stricter training and can be called day and night to help after the police responded to a call and has come across a need for a victim.

The NSVS office is located in the ORILLIA OPP department at the University Avenue.

“It is nice to be recognized to help in the community,” said Bestard. “It is something for which I don't need recognition, but it is nice that this is done for us and to show the support of the OPP and the other districts and the other groups.”

Great said: “It is important to be recognized – not that it is necessary, but to be part of the community of victim services and to be recognized, it takes a certain value and shows how important it is to hear from other organizations.”

Depratto said it was an honor to be recognized with NSVs for volunteer work.

“It is an amazing feeling and it makes me do more,” she said.

Sacrifice services from Simce County in Barrie awarded Rita van der Veen, Kevin Barnett and the South Simce Police Service.

The recognized OPP employees of the central region included Det.-Const. Matthew Crisp, Det.-Const. Anna Burt, Det.-Const. Brittany Robertson and nurse Rachel Ray.

Muskoka victims from Muskoka triano for awards were Const. Sam Bigley, Const. Dana Morris and Const. Kimberly Wild.

The three awards from Kawartha/Haliburton Sacrifice went to the Days Inn & Suites of Wyndham in Lindsay for the support of victims and the Const team. Julie Kalka and Kurtis Vestby.

Most recently, Dorothy received Davis, who retired, with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

You can find more information about NSVs on his website.