The International Peace Garden has nominated long-time volunteer, Rick Felstead, for Travel Manitoba's Volunteer of the Year Award.

Felstead has been a volunteer at the Peace Garden for 18 years, and a member of the Board of Directors for 15 years.

"This has been really exciting for all of us, and for Rick as well," shares Peace Garden CEO Tim Chapman. "Rick is terming out this year as a board member, so that's 15 years on the board, but he was involved even before that when it came to getting Rotary International involved in the 9/11 memorial initiative."

"When it comes to volunteerism, Rick is as good as it gets," adds Chapman. "It was an honor for us on the staff level to nominate him and then to see that he made it through to one of the finalists!" 

Rick Felstead is a retired gas utilities engineering manager and consultant, has been volunteering at the Garden for 18 years. He was elected to the Garden’s board of directors in 2009 and has served on various committees, including Governance, Planning and Development, and Communications and Membership. Through his position as the Governor of Rotary International, he was instrumental in raising funds required to create the Garden’s 9/11 Memorial and continues to initiate improvement and ongoing maintenance to the site.

“Rick is always willing to help out at Garden events,” says Chapman. “He does everything from greeting and guiding guests to directing traffic, helping the gate staff, and ensuring that our visitors have a great time. His energy and enthusiasm are contagious and he’s an outstanding ambassador and advocate for the Garden.”

Over the years, Felstead has held leadership positions in several professional, social and civic organizations.

He remains an active member of Rotary International, serves in the Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Association of Canada, the Manitoba Branch of the Army Cadet League of Canada board, and is an executive member of the Central Museum of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery in Shilo, Manitoba.

Rick Felstead is the recipient of several awards for community and national service including the Queen’s Silver, Gold and Diamond Jubilee medals.

Please listen to more with Tim Chapman, CEO of the International Peace Garden, below!

The Volunteer of the Year Award is sponsored by Travel Manitoba, an organization that promotes travel and tourism throughout the province.   Awards will be announced on April 17th at the Travel Manitoba Awards Dinner in Winnipeg.

Photo below:  Rick Felstead stands in front of the Peace Garden's 9/11 Memorial