ALMONTE – Mackenzie Mills says she likes to give back to her community. And now she is being recognized for her work.

Each year, the AGH Volunteer Services committee and the Fairview Manor Auxiliary present a $1,000 volunteer bursary to a deserving student. At the volunteer appreciation breakfast in Almonte on April 10, Mary Dillabaugh, AGH Volunteer Services Committee Chair and Pat Kennedy, Fairview Manor Auxiliary Vice Chair announced that Mackenzie is this year’s recipient.

The bursary is awarded to a student who has volunteered at Almonte General Hospital or Fairview Manor for at least 100 hours and is planning to pursue or is pursuing a post-secondary education in a health-care related field. Applicants must demonstrate compassion, care and commitment in their volunteer positions at AGH-FVM.

Mackenzie was originally taking pre-health courses at St. Lawrence College but received early acceptance to the nursing program at Canadore College due to her high marks. She has won several awards over the past few years and provided 102 hours of volunteer time at AGH. Her interests include dancing, animals, music and baking. She has also worked as a cashier and child care provider.

Mackenzie was unable to attend the presentation as she is at school in North Bay. But she did send a message to the volunteers.

“I would like to thank everyone for choosing me for this bursary,” Mackenzie said. “It means a lot to me, not only because it will help with my payments of student loans, but also as a reminder of how important volunteering within my community really is. Thank you again. I will promise to work very hard to give back to others.”

Thank you to all the volunteers who give so generously of their time and talent to support patient care at Almonte General Hospital and resident care at Fairview Manor. In 2018, more than 13,000 hours were contributed by these amazing volunteers.