2018 will be a year to remember for Neepawa's Darlene Gillies.
That's because she was awarded the 2018 UCT Volunteer of the Year Award.
UCT is the United Commercial Travellers of America, who provide community services, supports and plan charitable fundraisers on a volunteer basis.
Darlene received her award at the organization's convention in Savannah, GA earlier this month.
"I always attend the convention, and I knew my name had been submitted... but it had been many times for the same award," said Gillies. "There are so many people across North America in our organization that do a lot of work."
"I had no idea that I would be selected for the Volunteer of the Year Award," added Gillies. "It's the highest UCT award you can win. It's really quite the honour that I won it."
Gillies first became a UCT member in 1990. Since then, she's been volunteering locally, nationally and internationally, and she shares some of her fondest moments as a part of UCT.
"Every other year, Neepawa host "Progress of Farm Safety Day", said Gillies. "We have approximately 200 grade 5 and 6 kids from Neepawa and Carberry that take part, and it's organized by Emergency Measures of Neepawa, but UCT supplies all of the food for the day."
"I was the coordinator with the EMS to make sure that day went well," she added. "So that's probably one of my favourite ones because if we can go towards preventing one accident or death, it's a great cause."
Darlene also volunteered for Palliative Care at the hospital and at the nursing home, and she became extremely close with one individual.
"A lady was in the hospital for 105 days, and I visited her very regularly before she passed," added Gillies. "I was able to create a bond with her and try to keep her at peace. Her spouse was also there, so it was nice that we all got the opportunity to spend an extended period of time together."
28 years have passed since Darlene became a member of the UCT, and that number is expected to grow.
"It just comes naturally to me," said Gillies. "I'm just a community volunteer."
"I don't plan on stopping anytime soon," added Gillies. "I'm not as active as I was probably 10 years ago, but I still plan on volunteering in the future absolutely."
Darlene also is the President at Neepawa Tire LTD.
