Rita Scott was a diminutive lady, who taught school for many years, and after choosing Ponoka as her retirement home she quickly made her presence and goodwill felt in an always jovial and sincere acceptance of everyone that she met.
Volunteer coordinator, Lynn Gray, fondly remembers being introduced to Scott in February of 1994 when she made an appointment to inquire about becoming a volunteer at the Alberta Hospital (Centennial Centre for Mental Health and Brain Injury). In her always-flamboyant style Scott explained that her reason for volunteering was so that she could help those who were less fortunate.
“I knew right then that Scott’s heart was filled with such caring compassion and sincerity,” Lynn Gray explained to the large crowd at the annual Rita Scott Award barbecue on September 14. “Her congeniality and her gift of time and talent were contributed in so many wonderful ways over the years, both at the hospital and throughout the community. She so much enjoyed laughing and sharing with others in many special ways, and her ongoing efforts and sincerity will never be forgotten by those whose hearts she touched.”
Some of her cherished and always appreciated efforts included:
*Assisting patients with their unique projects at the hospital craft and hobby area.
*Being a special friend to three individuals, going one on one for countless hours of quality time by going for walks, taking them for coffee, as well as reading scriptures from the bible.
*Scott had an incredible gift of being able to speak in four different languages, and was called on many times to assist the Centennial Centre staff with vital translations and communication.
*She also visited patients at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre, as well as sitting on many planning committees at the hospital, and as a community board member of the Ponoka Rising Sun Club House.
Her untiring dedication and enthusiasm led Scott to serve as an outstanding volunteer in many capacities for over 1,000 hours. Like so many other volunteers, she was inspired to make a difference in the quality of life of so many patients, staff, and a host of friends at the hospital and throughout the community. Scott believed in living one day at a time, each to the fullest, as well as constantly seeking find, enjoy, and share the qualities of richness and goodness that is in everyone.
Rita Scott passed away on April 8, 2001, and her sons Ray and Paul were so very appreciative of what the community had done for their mother that they developed an annual award in her memory. The purpose of the Rita Scott Award is to recognize those very deserving individuals and groups in our community and districts who willingly provide their keen spirit and gifts of volunteerism with an open heart for the benefit of so many others.
This year’s Rita Scott Award was presented to some very deserving individuals who have truly made a difference in the lives of the patients at both the Centennial Centre and the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre. They have also shared their gifts of time and toe-tapping musical talent on an ongoing basis to nursing homes and drop-in centres at Ponoka, Rimbey, Lacombe, Bentley, and other community event and centres. The Crestomere Cowboys (Russell and Richard Adams and George Wheatley), the Yodeling Cowboys (Otto Brachmann, Barbara Farnham, Joe Staldecker, Elgie Schirrmacher, and Ed Brooks) and the Musical Duo (Velma Hart and Russell Petterson) have delightfully assured the quality of life at countless community functions for years, and absolutely never say no to just one more performance.
They say that music is the universal language of the world, and research has shown that it can make such a positive impact on the well being of someone; both physically, mentally, and spiritually. There is no doubt that Rita Scott would have been pleased with the announcement of 2008 award recipients, as her love for music was something very dear to her heart, whether at the hospital, the clubhouse, or at her community church. Thank goodness that her keen spirit, care, and compassion for others will carry on for many years through this annual award as a salute to the wonderful efforts of volunteerism.