Letter: What I love about Morinville

Rebecca Holland-webDear Morinville News Editor;

I recently saw a Facebook post by a young woman I was able to assist in relocating with the involvement of the JMMF [Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation] last summer and fall. This young woman fled extreme abuse in her third trimester and was here on a temporary VISA in a country not her own. She had no resources, knew few and stumbled into our community.

She stated given the chance, she would have loved to make Morinville home. She has relocated to her country, and has on more than one occasion shared with me, she will never find another community like ours. She is in awe of the supportive community we call HOME.

I was fortunate to receive the Volunteer of the Year award here in town, an award I would like to share with each of your readers.

I supported this woman in some very difficult situations, but I never once acted alone. Ruthann Weeks from Sunflower Community Resource Program went over and above to meet her needs. The JMMF assisted with some finances and at that time, I was a board member who was able to have continued backing of the board to support this young Mom and her three kids. Our local RCMP had check-ins and visits with Mom to make sure she was ok. Our local Food bank helped out too.

It goes further than this; it came in the form of fresh produce, dinners being dropped off, diaper donations, phone cards and gas cards being left for this new Mom. I would come home daily and find fresh garden veggies and fruit to share with Mom. I wasn’t always sure who they came from, but I always knew who they were meant for. Each of you were part of her success, part of her solution.

Our community responded in one continuous act of kindness. Not for credit or bragging rights, but to be part of something bigger than ourselves. It makes me proud to live here, proud of my neighbors, my council, our amazing school divisions, our fantastic Morinville Moms Page, the coaches who give of their time, the people who lack recognition, but do the role anyway knowing full well they are leaving this world better then they found it.

We can complain about what is wrong in our community, but I prefer to look at what is right~ it lives in each of us. YOU ARE WHAT’S RIGHT ABOUT MORINVILLE!

I would like to sign off on this letter by sharing a quote I value: “Remember that your reputation is made by others, but your character is made by you.” Napoleon Hill

We are the power of one, and the possibilities of many.

Thank you for presenting this award to me and in turn, I share it with each of you.

Warmest Regards,

Rebecca Balanko

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12 Comments

  1. Rebecca-

    What a beautiful letter to the editor. I believe this one of the many reasons people are proud to call Morinville home. Thank you for taking the time to write a “good news” letter about our town, and more precisely, about the residents. We have some wonderful people in this town, and you are no exception to that statement. Proud of Morinville and even prouder to call you a friend,

    Congratulations on being recognized with your volunteer award. Thank you for all the good work you do in our town!

  2. Rebecca – what a tribute to your community … you are so humble. Admiringly, Shelley

  3. While I’m sad this lady had to endure such a horrible situation, I’m very glad things have improved for her. Morinville is an exceptional place and that is due to the people here, especially the service groups and their tireless volunteers. An outstandingly well done job and thnak you for sharing such an inspirational story of hope.

    • Don, I have long admired your thoughtful, creative, and tactful posts in the social media jungle. Thank you for taking the time to post. This young woman fled a year ago this Friday, I am in awe of her strength and resilience. I feel pretty blessed to have crossed paths with her.

  4. Rebecca. While I have not had the pleasure of meeting you please accept my most sincere congratulations on being named the Volunteer of the year in Morinville. I was always amazed by the work and effort done by people such as yourself that happens “below the radar” and out of the public eye in our community. It is truly the work that is done behind the scenes by people such as yourself that makes a community a community, And that …. creates a home town.

    • Lloyd, thank you for reaching out and speaking such lovely sentiments. I really do love this community and feel honoured to have been named volunteer of the year. Our town indeed has many fabulous under the radar volunteers and they add to the amazing success we continue to see. I appreciate your taking the time to acknowledge this letter. Thank you.

    • Thank you for your heartfelt comment, Maria. I appreciate the message. 🙂

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