Artwork donation celebrates 30-year volunteer
A devoted volunteer with 30 years working in VON Lunenburg’s Foot Care Clinic, Joy Saunders is now just shy of her 105th birthday. She is an example of the service VON depends on and celebrates.
Joy recently purchased an original painting of herself, supporting the work of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia artist Emily Powers. The painting is now proudly displayed in VON’s Halifax community nursing clinic. It is one painting from a series that Powers created to spotlight women who have directly impacted the town of Lunenburg for the better. The imagery on Joy’s portrait is inspired by the remarkable stories that Joy shared with the artist.
Joy is the 2020 recipient of VON’s Lady Ishbel Aberdeen Award. This honour is bestowed upon individuals who have rendered services of great distinction to VON. Three years ago, at the age of 101, this centenarian decided to dedicate her local daily walks in Lunenburg to raising funds for VON. She successfully raised approximately $80,000! This fundraiser also earned Joy the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in 2021, given by the Governor General of Canada.
