As the old saying goes 'no good deed goes unrewarded'.
While that may be a figure of speech, it became a reality for one local man.
This week at city hall, David Thomas, local Crown attorney, was honoured with the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. It recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians across the country.
Mayor Steve Black said his office was contacted a few weeks ago, and was asked to include the presentation during a council meeting.
"Tonight I have the honour of presenting the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers, awarded by his excellency the right honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada to Mr. David Thomas in recognition of his outstanding volunteer contributions to our community," he said.
"The demanding nature of David Thomas' career as Crown attorney, would seem to leave little time for personal activities, let alone community service. Yet he has contributed to the city of Timmins for over 25 years through his involvement with multiple associations such as the Timmins and District Hospital, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Mental Health Association, Timmins Family Counselling Centre, Timmins Native Friendship Centre, Porcupine and District Children's Aid Society, and the board of Kamiskotia Snow Resort," said Black.
Thomas has also served as a volunteer for countless fundraising initiatives.
"Volunteers like you are fundamental for the well-being of our country, reflecting the rich diversity of Canada's people, and the many talents and interests which enrich our society. What they have in common is the support they provide to their communities at the grassroots level, and the positive impact they have on the lives of others, helping to make our neighbourhoods and our nation much stronger," read Black from a prepared statement.
Thomas came to Timmins from Toronto in 1989 to work on a homicide case. He has now lived in the city for 27 years. Although appreciative of the accolades, he seemed almost flustered at the attention.
"I'm extremely humbled to receive this award. I can tell you it came as a complete surprise to me. There are many deserving, dedicated citizens in this community who work silently behind the scenes without any fanfare, giving of themselves, who could just as easily have received this award," he said.
"When I first left to come and visit Timmins many years ago, which does seem like just yesterday, my friends and family teased me that I was heading up to a frozen wasteland. When I got off that plane in mid-March on that frigid St. Patrick's Day, in my linen overcoat and saw the ice fog hanging in the air, I felt my nostrils sticking together and hearing the snow squeak underneath my thin-soled dress shoes, I thought 'Whoa, maybe they're right.' However, I soon came to appreciate that Timmins is just such a warm, vibrant, vital, and diverse community with so much to do and so much to offer," said Thomas.
He was joined by his wife Shelley, and one of their three daughters. The others are away at university. She described her amazement at the amount of time her husband has been able to find for all of his charitable initiatives.
"As his wife, witnessing first-hand all of his numerous volunteer efforts over the years, in hindsight I'm not quite sure how he juggled it all to tell you the truth," she said.
"Volunteering is David's passion, and he does derive much satisfaction from it. He looks for a challenge, he tackles it, and he moves on to the next. I think part of the reason he was chosen for this award, has to do with his caring nature, which others have certainly recognized in him. His family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers feel the impact of his generosity of spirit. Apart from his public contributions, there are many private acts of kindness that he has done that even I don't know of until others come up to me and share their gratitude about something he has done for them," said Shelley.
She also spoke about a touching moment from David's childhood in Jamaica, a sun soaked nation with extreme economic disparities, when he was just four years old.
"One Christmas morning, David went to play outside with his new toys when he came upon another child walking by their house, who sadly didn't receive any Christmas presents. Without hesitation David gave not one, but all of his new Christmas gifts to that little boy, much to his parents surprise and dismay at the time. That is a small glimpse into David's character to this day, and we are all so very proud of him."
