Gerald McDonald from Nanaimo, BC was named the 2013 Volunteer of the Year during the Equine Canada Awards Gala, which was held on Feb. 7 as part of the 2014 Annual Convention in Winnipeg, MB.
McDonald has been involved in the promotion, development, and support of breed sport in Canada for over 45 years. He began volunteering at his local Arabian club in 1965.
His efforts have spanned all levels, from local to national to international. Since 1990, he has generously donated his time, effort, knowledge, and experience to the Arabian Horse Association (AHA) – the governing body for Arabian promotion and preservation in North America.
McDonald spearheaded the establishment of the Region 17 (Western Canada) chapter of the AHA, helping to increase the promotion and development of Arabian competitions in Canada. Since then, he has served six years as Chair, helping to oversee the operations of more than 800 members across 13 clubs. Plus, since 1995, he has served as Chair of the Canadian National Arabian Show, which attracts up to 1,000 competitors annually.
His many other contributions include volunteering as a chair and/or member of a wide range of committees, including National Events Operations Procedures (NEOP), Budget and Finance, IT Audit, and 3 to 5 Judge Task Force.
“I am surprised and very humbled to receive Equine Canada’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Thank you very much,” said McDonald.
The Equine Canada Volunteer of the Year Award adds an additional accolade to McDonald’s impressive list. He has received the AHA National Volunteer Award three times, and is the only two-time recipient of the AHA President’s Award.
Equine Canada thanks McDonald for his tireless contributions to breed sport in Canada.
The Equine Canada Volunteer of the Year Award is sponsored by BFL CANADA, and was created to recognize individuals who dedicate themselves to the ideals of EC while making a positive impact on the sport. Previous recipients include Ruth Carlson (2012), Allan Ehrlick (2011), and Jan Stephens (2010).
To obtain further information on the Equine Canada National Awards, and access a full list of past winners, click here.
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