74-year-old 'sparkplug' earns national volunteer award
Pat Clifford is the engine that keeps the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Goderich, Ont. running.
“If you need help, that’s the woman to go find,” said co-worker, Anne Marie Foucault.
“If not for her, I don’t think any of this would even be in existence, let alone where it is right now,” added co-worker, Justin Smith.
It’s for those reasons the soon-to-be 75-year-old has earned the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers. It’s a national recognition for her 25 years of arduous, continuous volunteering, as the go-to person at St. Vincent de Paul’s store and food bank, to simply get things done.
Pat Clifford, working at St. Vincent de Paul thrift store and food bank in Goderich, Ont. on May 13, 2022. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
“If someone’s down when they come into the store, I try to have them back up when they leave. A smile. A hug. I’m a hugger,” she said.
33 years as a waitress, plus her 25 years at St. Vincent de Paul — the past 20 as president — has given her perspective on helping Huron County’s less fortunate.
“I don’t shy away from anybody. Rich or poor. It’s me. What you get, if you don’t like it, well, I’m not changing for you. That’s the way I run this place,” she said.
Clifford, an incredible seven-time cancer survivor, is one of only four Ontarian’s to take home this year’s Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.
“People can’t believe I work for nothing, day after day, after day,” said the affable Clifford.
Clifford has done everything from fix washing machines to installing security cameras at the St. Vincent de Paul store in Goderich, Ont. She doesn’t climb ladders anymore, but has no plans to slow down anytime soon.
The Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers, presented to Pat Clifford of Goderich, Ont. in May 2022. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)
“She just never ever stops. She’s like an electric car, with a solar panel on the roof,” said Smith, who manages Parson’s Used Furniture, a charitable business within the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
“I just love people. I love making them laugh. I love to help people,” said Clifford.
Clifford could have received the award at a special ceremony with the governor general, but instead decided to have the award mailed to her, and awarded in front of her friends and co-workers in Goderich.
Clifford will celebrate her 75th birthday on June 3.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.