MADD volunteer receives King Charles III Coronation Medal
- Kate Smith
- Mar 20
- 3 min read
During the anniversary year of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, 30,000 Coronation Medals are awarded to volunteers who are worthy of recognition.
MADD Canada was provided with medals for select volunteers for the organization.
Goderich resident Sandra Lee, a long-time volunteer with MADD Huron/Bruce has been selected as a recipient of the King Charles medal for her 29 years of service to those in need.
Volunteering enriches Lee’s life because she feels rewarded when supporting others and feels honoured to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal because of the nomination made by MADD Canada.
“I was surprised when I was notified,” admitted Lee.
“This was certainly not on my radar. There are so many worthy folks across Canada that put hours beyond measure into MADD Canada’s mandate. To be selected out of the hundreds of members and volunteers of MADD Canada is very humbling.”
Lee began volunteering with MADD Huron/Bruce in 1995 and currently serves as a director-at-large and Social Media Manager for the local chapter. Lee is one of two original directors still volunteering for the local chapter formed in September 1995.
According to Steve Sullivan, CEO of MADD Canada, Lee is a caring, committed and dedicated volunteer who has participated in many events and activities over her 29 years with the chapter.
A resident of Goderich for the last 25 years, Lee has roots in Wingham and spent some time living in Point Clark as well. Lee worked in legal offices and social services throughout her career, and she has been retired for eight years, providing opportunity for more time to volunteer.
For someone who enjoys helping others when things get tough, volunteering has given Lee the opportunity to offer support by spending time to find solutions to tragic or sad experiences.
This seems to be a common denominator in her volunteering.
“I feel I offer being a good listener, and a compassionate and caring individual,” admitted Lee.
Lee was a crisis responder for Huron County Victim Services for over 12 years and has been a volunteer with Huron Hospice for 15 years.
Twenty-nine years of her volunteering time has been dedicated to MADD Canada and MADD Huron/Bruce, the local chapter that services all of Huron County and Southern Bruce County.
Throughout her time at MADD Huron/Bruce, Lee has held the position of Co-President for four years and held the executive position of Secretary for the local chapter for many years.
Additionally, she was the Conference Chair for MADD Canada’s Victims’ Weekend held in 2004 that brought over 200 delegates from across Canada to Huron County.
The conference was nearly three years in planning, and MADD Huron/Bruce was happy to host this conference in a rural setting in Huron County.
Over the years, Lee has also helped organize a Harvest Dinner and Auction as a fundraiser for the local chapter, held at the Wingham Golf Club.
Her many activities as a volunteer member of the local chapter over the years also include assisting at many awareness and fundraising events, helping at RIDE programs and Project Red Ribbon with local police forces, co-facilitating with a Police Officer for the Death Notification training of police officers, advocating for safe and sober driving at school presentations, mall displays, craft shows and fundraising barbecues.
Lee expressed gratefulness to MADD Canada for its guidance and attention to the issue of impaired driving.
The organization started by fighting impaired driving caused by alcohol, and now drugs are an issue when driving, with or without alcohol.
MADD Canada and its chapters help to educate, improve legislation relating to impaired driving, and provide resources to help victims or survivors of impaired driving.
Volunteering brings Lee a sense of community while working towards a common goal to make the area she lives in a better and safer place.
“My words of wisdom for anyone wishing to volunteer for an organization is to find a group that shares your passion, beliefs, and dedication in what you feel is important to you,” Lee remarked.
“I encourage volunteering for something that touches a chord in your inner being that will bring light into your life.”
Candidates of the King Charles III medal must have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, region, or community in Canada.
The medal, silver in colour bears a crowned and robed effigy of His Majesty the King of Canada, while on the reverse side there is a ring of triangular shapes evoking the image of string pennants. These 13 shapes allude to Canada’s provinces and territories, and their circular arrangement conveys the idea of inclusion for all Canadians.
Lee was recognized for this medal by Mayor Trevor Bazinet and the rest of council at the March 17 Goderich Council meeting.
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