Three exceptional Vaudreuil-Dorion residents who distinguished themselves for their exemplary volunteer work within the community for many years were awarded the Quebec Lieutenant Governor's Medal for Seniors on May 14.

Denis Lapointe, Agathe Bouchard and Marie-Éliane Wart received the prestigious award during a ceremony at the military college in Saint Jean-sur-le-Richelieu.

The award was by presented by Quebec Lieuenant Governor, the Honourable J. Michel Doyon, in recognition of the outstanding commitments the three recipients have made within their community.

“The contributions these three outstanding indivduals have made is impressive. They have accomplished great things in the region with complete humility without ever seeking recogniton," said Vaudreuil-Dorion Mayor Guy Pilon.

"Their volunteer involvement and the altruism they have displayed during all these years deserves recognition. This is why our municipal council decided to submit their candidacy for this award," said Pilon.

"On behalf of our municipal council, I would like extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude, and to sincerely thank them for their many contributions to our community,” the mayor added.

Denis Lapointe and Agathe Bouchard

The volunteerism and causes championed by Denis Lapointe and Agathe Bouchard are remarkable. They share the same passion and have committed themselves to graciously give their time to help their community anyway possible.

Residents of Vaudreuil-Dorion since the 1970s, Lapointe and Bouchard began volunteering by initially working with other friends to create a theater company to give children in the region the opportunity to learn acting and other skills within a theatrical setting. 

They couple have also been deeply involved in municipal politics and the Mouvement Desjardins for several years. 

Their biggest volunteer effort, however, began in 2006 when a mobilization group was created to lobby the province to build a hospital in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, the only region in Canada with more than 150,000 people that does have a hospital.

Lapointe and several members of the citizens' committee also established the Fondation Hôpital Vaudreuil-Soulanges and made up its board of directors.

This committee created the Salon des Vins Vaudreuil-Soulanges, an important fund-raising event that raises money that is used to improve health services in the region.

Marie-Eliane Wart

Originally from Belgium, Marie-Éliane Wart arrived in Quebec in 1962 and became a social worker five years later. Since that time, this lady with a big heart has worked tirelessly with people for 34 years throughout Vaudreuil-Soulanges, Valleyfield and Huntingdon.

In 1982, Wart brought 11 people involved in volunteerism together to found the Centre d’action communautaire L’Actuel. She later took on the role of medical transport manager at the center for 20 years.

This center now has about 20 employees and oversees the well-being of the community by offering some 20,000 residents access to their services each year.