By Mark Squibb | Vol. 12 No. 26 (December 18, 2019)
You may know Judy Brazil as the woman who organizes the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony in Trepassey.
Or, you may know her as the woman who organizes the collection of Christmas cards and gifts to send to soldiers, who cannot be home for the holidays.
Or, you might know her as the woman volunteering her time and talent at concerts and choir specials, both on and off stage.
Truth is, you may know Judy as any number of things.
Over the years, she has volunteered with Girl Guides, the 50 Plus Club, the Lion’s Club, and other groups. She has helped organize Come Home Year celebrations, special anniversaries, fundraisers, welcome home ceremonies for soldiers, Christmas parades, and more.
She has performed, free of charge, in fundraisers of all kinds, even driving so far as Sunnyside once to sing a commemorative piece during Canada Day celebrations.
And though she said she doesn’t volunteer her time for recognition of any kind, she has received some honourable recognition from the federal government.
Brazil was awarded the esteemed Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, a medal recognizing exceptional Canadian volunteers.
“I never in a million years expected anything like that. I was blown away,” said Brazil. “And, there’s an awful lot of volunteers out there, especially in the community, who are just as deserving of this award as I am.”
Appropriately enough, when she received the call from Ottawa in November, she was right in the middle of preparing for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony.
“’I said, ‘Can I call you back please, I’m really, really rushing to get down to church,’” she laughed.
Recipients are chosen after a nomination process.
Brazil said that she doesn’t know who nominated her. When she asked a representative at the Chancellery of Honours, a branch of government concerned with recognizing and honouring Canadians with medals and awards, she was told that the person’s (or peoples) identify remain confidential unless the person chooses to reveal themselves to Brazil.
They also noted the person would be informed that Brazil had been awarded the medal.
“I would like to say a big thank you to whoever the people were behind nominating me,” said Brazil. “I’m so honoured they would even consider me for it. I’m very happy about it.”
She noted that, like all volunteers, she doesn’t do what she does for the recognition, but that she does appreciate it.
Judy Brazil of Trepassey says she was honoured to be awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, a national award recognizing exceptional volunteers.
“I didn’t think it was that noticeable or remarkable, what I do. I do things, from my heart, and I don’t do it to get recognition. And to know that people do appreciate it, makes it better, and it helps me to continue on,” she said, noting that she is also appreciative of the many kind words of congratulations she has received since coming public about the award earlier in December.
Brazil said knowing that you’ve helped someone else gives you a great feeling of satisfaction, and that alone is a reward in and of itself.
She encouraged everybody to do what they can to help others, be it in big or small ways.
“Do what you can. Get out there and offer to help somebody, supposing it’s even just to visit somebody and bring them a sweet,” she suggested. “Anything, give them a phone call. There are so many people who are so lonely, and they’ve lost loved ones. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that you’ve been there for someone.”
An exact date for the awarding of the prestigious medal has not yet been announced, although Brazil said that she has been informed that it will likely be in the spring, and is set to be presented by Lieutenant Governor Judy Foote.
