Evan Ash Named Volunteer of the Year for Canada

Shelia Thompson, Evan Ash, SOC Chair Colin MacKinnon

Long time Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador volunteer Evan Ash is the 2007 Jim Thompson Award recipient. Evan amply fulfills the criteria for the Jim Thompson Award with his contributions, development and enhancement of Special Olympics over the last 10 years. Evan has had a profound impact on the Special Olympics movement in Canada through his efforts at the Regional, Provincial and National level. In a local context, Evan has been an integral member of the Special Olympics Mount Pearl Club. He started with the club as a member of the fundraising committee and assumed the role of Program Director from 2002-2006. Evan has served as Chef de Mission for Team Mount Pearl at the Provincial Games five times and was a member of the host committee twice. Evan has been a member of Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador’s Provincial Board of Directors since 1998 and sits on the organizing committee for the Chapter’s two largest fundraisers, their Special Olympics Festival and North Atlantic Petroleum Charity Golf Event. From 2002-2007, Evan served as a member of the Special Olympics Canada Coaches Sub-Committee. Taking his commitment to an international level, Evan participated as a “fan extraordinaire” by traveling with his family to Nagano, Japan to cheer on his son Andrew, a member of Team Canada’s 2005 Snowshoeing Squad. Evan Ash’s passion, dedication and respect for others make him a very commendable recipient of the 2007 Jim Thompson Award.

Evan was selected for this honour from a group of nominees across the country. As the recipient of this prestigious award Evan attended the Special Olympics Festival in Toronto. On Tuesday, December 4th, Special Olympics Canada hosted a awards evening, at which time, his efforts were acknowledged and his award presentation was made.