• Awarded on: November 24, 2004

Marie Louise Poland, Ottawa, Ontario
Governor General's Caring Canadian Award


Marie Louise Poland has volunteered her time with several organizations in Ottawa, and 2004 marked Mrs. Poland's 20th anniversary of service with Volunteer Ottawa as an interviewer. With genuine empathy, she carefully matched the skills and interests of prospective volunteers with the diverse needs of the community, ensuring that each request was filled with the right volunteer. With her warm and kind manner, Mrs. Poland welcomed many new Canadians, made the volunteering process understandable to them, gave them a chance to gain work experience, and, ultimately, helped them to settle in and learn the ways of their adopted country.