When it comes to keeping secrets, Gérald Young doesn’t have the strongest history – any gift the White Rock senior has ever bought for “my dearest” over their decades together has never made it to the occasion it was chosen for.
So it’s no wonder his wife June was stunned to learn last fall that he’d been holding onto a doozy for four years: that he’d submitted her name back in October 2021 for one of Canada’s highest honours: the Governor General’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
“I will not to this day know how he kept that a secret,” June said in a Jan. 20 interview. “He could never buy me a present without telling me right away what he got.”
The secret came to light in October of last year, after June received a call advising her that she’d been selected for the distinction, which “recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country and celebrates a wide range of voluntary contributions.”
“It’s been a bit surreal, really,” June said of the news she’s only recently been given the all-clear to share. “I still feel a little weird about the whole thing.”
To be considered for the medal – first bestowed in April 2016 – nominees must be shown to have at least 10 years’ of unpaid, dedicated and significant contributions in their lifetime.
Last year, Surrey’s Amandeep K. Boparai was among 61 individuals recognized with the medal, for her efforts as co-founder and CEO of SPARK Foundation, co-founder of the Surrey Youth Safety Council and support of the Surrey Leadership Youth Council.
June’s volunteer resumé extends over more than two decades locally – and for some 60 years in all – ever since she and Gérald moved back to B.C. in 2005, after spending three years in Geneva and 10 in Paris.
It includes the past 15 years with the Orphaned Wildlife Rehabiliation Society; as well as oodles of knitting and crocheting for organizations including OWL (where donations for her handcrafted stuffies support the raptor rescue and rehab efforts), Surrey RCMP (through her Hats for the Homeless initiative, she’s made and donated countless tuques for officers to distribute during the colder months to people they encounter who are in need of a little extra warmth) and Peace Arch Hospital (tuques for newborns).
For many years, June gave several hours of her time every week to the South Surrey RCMP District 5 office, lending a hand wherever needed before ‘retiring’ a year ago. These days, in addition to OWL and her crocheting, the mother and grandmother helps out at Women’s Place, something she has been doing for the past three years.
“She’s been so active … unrelenting,” said Gérald, noting some 10 years doing patient hair care at a hospital in Burlington, Ont., and “all sorts” of other things are also in June’s volunteer history.
“Gandhi … he once said the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others, and I think June really exemplifies what it means to be dedicated, compassionate, and frankly, selfless,” he said.
“I’m very proud to have her as my spouse for the last 59 years.”
By the same token, June said she could “never” have been as involved if not for her husband’s unwavering support.
Gérald said he was inspired by his nephew – retired Canadian Air Force captain Patrick Young – to nominate June for the medal, and that he kept it a secret because he didn’t want her to be disappointed if nothing came of it (which is what he’d assumed was the case, as years passed without a peep from the governor general’s office).
They’ve not yet learned exactly when the medal ceremony will take place – last year’s was held in Ottawa in April – but do plan to attend.
June said she is thrilled by the honour, and that everyday where something good is accomplished – as is the case in volunteering – is a “wonderful bonus.”
Volunteering, she said, is “the best part of my life.”
“I love the fact that I’m on the go all the time,” she said. “That’s what keeps me young, I think.”
At the same time, she doesn’t believe she’s any more remarkable than the “thousands” of others who have also volunteered their whole lives.
“It becomes a way of life and is so very fulfilling,” she said.
“I will be volunteering until the day I die.”