Local volunteer awarded medal for 30-plus years with victim services

After 33 years of answering the call to help victims of violence, Ellen Martin has received the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers for her volunteer work with Victim Services of Algoma.

The medal - an official honour created by the Crown and part of the Canadian Honours System - was presented to Martin during an informal presentation at the victim services office in Sault Ste. Marie Monday.  

“She’s one of the original volunteers when the program began, so she’s been with us that entire length of time, and the people that she’s assisted and helped over the years are in the thousands,” said Robin Kerr, executive director for Victim Services Algoma. “She could not ever begin to imagine the amount of people’s lives she touched.”

“We help people at the worst when they are victims of crime and tragedy, and Ellen has been prepared to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week - a quick phone call, and she’s been ready to go, so we’re very appreciative.” 

Martin, born in 1940, has lost much of her ability to communicate due to complications from suffering a stroke, but her peers had no problem speaking to Martin’s no-nonsense approach to her volunteer work over the years during the presentation of the volunteer medal. 

“You can’t help but like her - she’s straight from the hip, you know where you stand with her,” said Kerr. “But you know what? I appreciate that at all times. If I’ve messed up, she’ll tell me I messed up, and we carry on.” 

“She’s honest to the core, and I love her for it.”

Victim Services Algoma responds to any type of crime or tragedy at the request of police, whether it’s at the scene of a crime, or initiating follow-up contact in order to help victims find the resources they need. 

Kerr says there’s anywhere between 35 and 40 volunteers currently working for Victim Services of Algoma throughout Thessalon, Elliot Lake and Sault Ste. Marie. 

Although Martin is now in more of a front office role within the organization, she - like many other volunteers - would routinely take calls for help at any hour, at the drop of a hat.  

“We don’t know until the phone rings, and we’re ready to go,” said Kerr. “These individuals do it all on a volunteer basis, without asking for any accolades, monetary rewards or anything.”

Helen Beadle was also awarded the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers this year for her work with Victim Services of Algoma in Thessalon.