Doris Joan McDougall, Woodstock, Ontario
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award
Doris McDougall brings joy to many people in her community through daily acts of kindness. She visits elderly neighbours just to make sure they have some company. She bakes and cooks for them, feeds them if necessary and runs errands. One day, while visiting a local nursing home, she met an elderly, lonely woman and befriended her, visiting her regularly. She continued her visits until the woman's death, and she was the only person who attended her funeral. For 20 years, she has taught Sunday school at
St. David's United Church. For the last seven years, she has also volunteered on a weekly basis with the Woodstock General Hospital's Physiotherapy service.