---Jean-Guy Caron honoured with Medal of the National Assembly for more than 40 years of outstanding volunteerism

On May 16, Pontiac Member of National Assembly (MNA) André Fortin honoured local volunteer Jean-Guy Caron for his numerous years of service to the community with one of the most prestigious benevolence awards the province has – the Medal of the National Assembly.

Awarded by MNAs, the honour is granted to select people whose efforts are judged to be deserving of recognition. Stating that the award is not handed frivolously, Fortin said it was very important to highlight the contributions of someone who dedicated such a large portion of his life to helping others. “As a deputy, it is my privilege to give this medal to a person of such long dating benevolence,” Fortin said, stating that the nomination was recommended by Lucerne district councillor Gilles Chagnon around a month ago. “I want to thank Jean-Guy for his long years of service. We will long remember his contributions here in Aylmer.”

Investing more than 40 years of volunteering in local minor hockey, Caron also served as President of Interclubs Aylmer for around 21 years, and was the Lions’ Club President for seven years – among other things. Among his most notable contributions, he helped with the cargo van at the Aylmer Food Centre, and helped organize the Du Maurier women’s golf tournament at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club in 2000 - which raised around $70,000 for community organizations. Emphasizing that his volunteering efforts were always about helping people and not receiving personal rewards, Caron said he felt very happy about the achievement but not overly enthusiastic about it.

Recently stepping down from most of his volunteering endeavours for health reasons, the 71-year-old Aylmerite said he’s still dedicated to three projects - including a plan to build a new 600-bed hospital in Gatineau’s west end. Caron’s wife Pauline said she found her husband’s recognition very touching, and extremely deserving considering his outstanding generosity and benevolence. “We always loved helping everyone,” Pauline said, stating that she spent around a decade volunteering at the Lions’ Club with Caron. “He’s someone who truly cares about everything he does. For him, helping people, like when there was the tornado, he was one of the first to help everyone … he always loved doing that, volunteering and helping people.”

Despite his best efforts of brushing off his elation from the prize, Pauline says she knows that he’s extremely thrilled to see his selfless acts recognized with such reverence. “He was so happy,” Pauline said. “He’s someone who doesn’t often show his emotions. But I know him and he’s very, very happy.”