Throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, NAPE members are stepping up as volunteers to give back and make a difference in their community. The NAPE Step Up Awards were created to recognize these members. The awards provide an opportunity for our Union to recognize and applaud the efforts of NAPE members who give so freely of themselves to improve the lives of those around them.
This year, public health guidelines limited our ability to recognize the award recipients at an in-person event as we have done in years past. For their exceptional contributions to their community and the Union, in addition to the award, NAPE will make a donation to an organization or charity of each winner’s choosing.
This year’s Step Up Award Winners are:
Jamie Meadus
Shirley Coady
Trina Mercer
Ted White
Denise Delaney
Congratulations to these incredible volunteers for your contributions to your community and your Union! Below you will find a brief write-up on each award winner.
Jamie Meadus (St. John’s Region)
Jamie Meadus lives in St. John’s where he works at the Health Science Centre as a PCA. He is a loving husband, father, and great friend and has been a NAPE member for 22 years. Jamie is a shop steward and board member with NAPE Local 6206. He sits on the NAPE Board of Directors and is a member of the Constitution Committee. Jamie started volunteering with the Lion’s Club International five years ago and has held several positions within the organization. He is a Team Broke Earth member and has traveled to Nicaragua and Haiti on-site missions to perform vision testing and distribute glasses to those in need.
Jamie volunteers his time for fundraiser events with his band “Doryload” and performed to help raise funds to support students affected by Hurricane Maria in Dominica in 2019. According to his nominator, Jamie contributes to our union, our community, and our world as a whole and truly exemplifies the ideals this award represents.
Shirley Coady (Eastern Region)
Shirley Cody is from Little Bay, Placentia Bay, and has been a NAPE member in Local 9209 for over 12 years. She works at Grace Sparkes House in Marystown. Shirley is a very active volunteer in her community and spends much of her free time giving back to those in need. She is involved in several different community organizations including serving as vice chair and board member of the Burin Peninsula Health Care Foundation, director with the Housing and Homeless Burin Peninsula Network, co-lead of the Burin Peninsula Community Advisory Board and has participated in the Kinsmen and Friends Radiothon, the Tree of Memories Campaign, as well as Tim Hortons Camp Day.
Shirley’s nominator described her as informed, respectful, strong, dedicated, and a hard-working team player who gives 110% to every organization she is involved in, expecting nothing in return other than the joy of knowing she has improved the quality of life for others.
Trina Mercer (Central Region)
Trina Mercer grew up on Fogo Island and has worked at the Connaigre Peninsula Health Centre in Harbour Breton for 12 years. She serves as a Shop Steward and Local 3202 Secretary and serves on the NAPE Women’s Committee. Trina is a kind, compassionate, fair individual whose perseverance knows no bounds. She is always looking for ways to engage and advocate for her community and her union. Trina serves as: board member and former chair of the Harbour Breton Community Youth Network, Executive Committee Member of Build Blocks Daycare, Vice-President of the Harbour Breton Hospital Auxiliary, Chair of the Harbour Breton and Area Alternative Measures Committee, St. Joseph’s School Council, Sunday School Coordinator, Girl Guide Leader, Summer Soccer Program Coach, Harbour Breton Minor Hockey Association and was the Founder of a Mental Health Support Group. Trina has also been involved in several fundraising initiatives such as Walk of Hope, Alzheimer’s Society, and the Bring Home the Bus Campaign.
Trina’s nominator said her time given to her union and her community does not go unnoticed and is very much appreciated by all.
Ted White (Western Region)
Ted White is a Shop Steward and has been a NAPE member in Local 1857 at the College of the North Atlantic for the past 6 years. Ted has been an active community volunteer for more than 17 years. After a personal medical crisis in 2003, Ted made a commitment to devote his life to helping others. Since then, he has dedicated a significant amount of time and energy towards initiatives that serve his community. Using skills he developed through the CNA Community Studies Program, he established a very successful volunteer initiative called “Friends Visiting Friends” which connects students who can spend time with seniors living in care homes in Stephenville, Stephenville Crossing, Kippens, and Port aux Basques.
Ted is also an active volunteer and board member with the Southwest Coast SPCA and SPCA NL. In addition to volunteering to support the rescue, rehabilitation, and eventual adoption of neglected and abandoned animals, Ted also plays a role in contributing to the governance and fundraising activities of the SPCA in the province and is currently working with co-volunteers to oversee the construction of a much-needed, new Animal Shelter building.
According to his nominator, there is no doubt amongst his co-workers, friends, and fellow volunteers that Ted has made good on his promise to help others. If you ever meet Ted White, it is a sure bet he will pull out his phone and show you pictures of his countless, much-loved rescued animals.
Denise Delaney (Labrador)
Denise Delaney lives in Wabush and is a Student Assistant at Menihek High School in Labrador City. She has been a NAPE member for 11 years and is very active in her Local 2851. She presently serves as chair of her Local’s social committee and served as Vice-President for 2 years. As an active community volunteer, Denise serves as President of the Minor Hockey Parent Club TV Bingo, she volunteers at the Dance Show, New Year’s Eve First Night event, Music Festival, Special Olympics, and Relay for Life. Denise also served on the Menihek High School Graduation Committee.
Denise’s nominator said she is always there to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbours. Everything she does is done with a good heart.
