National Volunteer Week took place this year from April 27 to May 3. On Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Municipality of Clare proudly hosted its annual Volunteer Banquet, a cherished event that brings together and honours the individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and passion to bettering our community.

Held at the Clare Columbus Club, the evening celebrated over 40 volunteers representing a wide variety of local organizations, causes, and initiatives.

This year, the Municipality was thrilled to present the 2025 Volunteers of the Year Award to Monette Boudreau and Maria Hanna, two outstanding individuals whose dedication and passion to the Baie en Joie dance troupe have made lasting impacts on the cultural fabric of our community.

         
Volunteers of the year Monette Boudreau and Maria Hanna

From left to right: Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Volunteer of the Year Monette Boudreau, MP Chris d'Entremont, Daralyn Comeau (on behalf of MLA Ryan Robicheau)
Absent: Maria Hanna

For over 25 years, these two volunteers have been sharing their passion for dance and Acadian culture with the youth of our region. They manage the troupe, teach dances, create new choreography, support performers during shows and trips, and go above and beyond with extra practice sessions and at-home resources for dancers.

Their efforts were especially felt last summer during the 45th anniversary of the Baie en Joie, where they helped bring together past and present dancers for moving performances and a beautiful costume display. They also participated actively in the Congrès mondial acadien, contributing to several shows, including the main show on August 15 at the Yarmouth airport.

Beyond passing down Acadian traditions, Monette and Maria inspire the next generation by encouraging young people to get involved themselves. We are incredibly proud to recognize their service locally and to share that they will also be honored at the provincial level this fall during a ceremony in Halifax.

In addition to Monette and Maria, the Municipality extends sincere congratulations and a big thank you to all this year’s nominees:

• Suzanne Aucoin – Association La Guilde acadienne de Clare
• Diane Bezanson – Senior Fun Days
• Monette Boudreau and Maria Hanna – La Baie en Joie
• Adrien Comeau – Les Papas Noël de Clare
• Caleb Comeau – Festival acadien de Clare
• Elise Comeau – Le Club de natation Les Aquadiens de Clare
• Janice Comeau – Gran Fondo Baie Sainte-Marie / Terra Fondo
• Jody (John) Comeau – Clare Search and Rescue (CLSAR)
• Norman Comeau – Meteghan Fire Department
• Simone Comeau – Clare Food Bank Society
• Simone Marie Comeau – Église Stella-Maris
• Todd d’Eon – Bangor Development Commission
• Jacques Deveau – Clare Bluegrass Association
• Jimmy Deveau – Clare Curling Association
• Kenny Deveau – Salmon River Fire Dept. Auxiliary
• Marguerite Deveau – Les Jeux Seniors de Clare
• Michael Deveau – Association Acadiens-Métis Souriquois
• Gail R. Doucet – Organisation Association Madeleine LeBlanc
• Jeannette Doucet – Paroisse Notre Dame d’Acadie
• Dre. Michelle Dow – Clare Health Centre Foundation
• Patrick Duffy – Association Radio Clare
• Emile Dugas – Clare Veterans Association
• Alain Philippe Gérard – Association Boule Acadienne
• Paulette Gaudet – Clare Senior Citizens Club
• Alvina LeBlanc – Société historique acadienne de la Baie Sainte-Marie
• Claudette LeBlanc – Église Sacré-Cœur
• Nicole Comeau LeBlanc – Clare Share Fridge Communautaire Society
• Noreen LeBlanc – Meteghan Lions Club
• Susan LeBlanc – Comité de l’Église St. Alphonse
• Alice Comeau Lombard – Société Héritage Saint Bernard
• Nelson Lombard – Shuffleboard Club
• Joelene Maillet – Little Brook Fire Department Auxiliary
• Amy Paradis – Conseil des arts de la Baie
• Julee Pearson – Salmon River Volunteer Fire Department
• David Pedro – Clare Special Olympics
• Jackie Robichaud – La Baie SPCA
• Daniel Robichaud et Harold C. Robicheau – La Société Vieille Maison Association
• Megan Sabean – Southville & Area Fire Department
• Gilles Saulnier – Société acadienne de Clare
• Sydnee Saulnier – Little Brook Volunteer Fire Department
• Terry Stone – Havelock Wesleyan Church
• Pearl M. Theriault – Transport de Clare Society
• Wayne Waldron – Hectanooga Volunteer Fire Department

Thank you to all our volunteers. Your dedication is what makes Clare such a vibrant and compassionate community.

From left to right:
Back row: Janice Comeau, Jody (John) Comeau, Councillor Réanne Evans
Front row: Suzanne Aucoin, Diane Bezanson, Caleb Comeau, Elise Comeau
Absent: Adrien Comeau

 
From left to right:
Back row: Councillor Carl Deveau, Norman Comeau, Todd d'Eon
Front row: Jacques Deveau, Marguerite Deveau, Jimmy Deveau, Simone Comeau
Absent: Kenny Deveau

 
From left to right:
Back row: Patrick Duffy, Alain Philippe Gérard, Councillor Réanne Cooper
Front row: Gail Doucet, Michael Deveau, Jeannette Doucet, Emile Dugas
Absent: Dr. Michelle Dow

 
From left to right:
Back row: Susan LeBlanc, Alice Comeau-Lombard, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier
Front row: Paulette Gaudet, Alvina LeBlanc, Nicole Comeau-LeBlanc, Noreen LeBlanc
Absent: Claudette LeBlanc

 
From left to right:
Back row: David Pedro, Harold Robicheau, MP Chris d'Entremont
Front row: Nelson Lombard, Joelene Maillet, Amy Paradis, Jackie Robichaud
Absent: Daniel Robichaud and Julee Pearson

 
From left to right:
Back row: Megan Sabean, Gilles Saulnier, Wayne Waldron
Front row: Sydnee Saulnier, Terry Stone, Pearl Theriault, Daralyn Comeau

 
A few of our guest speakers for the night
From left to right: Councillor Nadine Comeau, Deputy Warden Eric Pothier, Councillor Réanne Cooper and MP Chris d'Entremont