Sudbury senior honoured for decades of volunteer work
Reijo Viitala, a long time volunteer at Finlandia Village in Sudbury, has been honoured with a provincial award.
Dignitaries, residents, family and friends gathered Tuesday to celebrate Viitala’s accomplishments.
The Ontario Senior Achievement Award is handed out to just 20 people in the province each year.
“It’s a great honour to get recognized by your peers, and this reception here is basically designed to have the presentation in front of my peers, the people that I volunteer for and the seniors especially,” said Viitala.
The Ministry of Seniors Affairs reviews all nominations. The award is presented to honour outstanding seniors who have made significant contributions to their communities.
Jeanna de la Morandire, volunteer coordinator at Finlandia Village, nominated Viitala forward for the award.
“His parents are founding members of the village and so for over 40 years, Reijo has been very instrumental in engaging events and activities and groups mostly notably with the finish veterans association of Sudbury,” de la Morandire said.
Recipients are selected by an independent committee made up of representatives from the senior’s community.
“To hear that he has been recognized, it’s very exciting and we’re very happy for him and his family,” said de la Morandire.
Viitala said it’s touching to be recognized by his peers after four decades.
“I’d stress the importance of volunteering,” he said.
“Especially for the seniors, who are sometimes -- and now with COVID has brought that to the forefront -- have found themselves to be very lonely and volunteering opens up venues for them to come and celebrate.”
This isn’t the first time Viitala has been recognized for his work. In 2022 he received the Knight of the Order of Finlandia Award.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.