In the moments before her name was called to receive an outstanding volunteer award, Sheila O鈥橩ane was busy making a list of everyone else she thinks is deserving of such an honour.

鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 just receiving it on behalf of everybody else who volunteers here,鈥� said O鈥橩ane, who received the award in the elder category.

She had come up with a list of 15 people worthy of the award before she had to get up from the table to receive the plaque.

鈥淭here are a lot of senior volunteers, almost senior volunteers, and then all of the young parents who are volunteering for hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he town is full of volunteers.鈥�

During the presentation, O鈥橩ane's involvement in the Inuvik Emergency Warming Centre, now known as the John Wayne Kiktorak Centre, was mentioned as an achievement.

鈥淚 would just like to thank all the other volunteers in town, including our volunteer fire department, not only for volunteering to protect us from fires and other hazards, but also the financial support they鈥檝e given in honour of their lost comrade, John Wayne Kiktorak,鈥� said O鈥橩ane, referring to the organization鈥檚 recent $38,000 donation to the centre.

She likened her interest in volunteerism to a children鈥檚 song about lighting a candle in your small corner and making the place bright there.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the idea you can鈥檛 fix the world, but you can sometimes make your small corner a little better,鈥� she said.

In the future, O鈥橩ane hopes more work is done to create second-stage and transitional supportive housing, as well as looking at food rescue and recycling in the community.

She said she realized she had more to do after she turned 50.

Mayor Jim McDonald said he takes pride in the community鈥檚 dedicated spirit of volunteerism.

鈥淲ithout the support and the volunteers in the community, a lot of the events and the help that鈥檚 needed in the community would not happen,鈥� he said. 鈥淭heir dedication and commitment is really what makes the community what it is.鈥�

He said he is amazed at the time O鈥橩ane puts in.

Premier Bob McLeod, who was on hand to make the announcement, said volunteers are an essential part of community life in the Northwest Territories.

Other recipients of outstanding volunteer awards were Nigel Koplomik from Ulukhaktok, Sudhir Jha from Yellowknife and the Food Rescue group from Yellowknife.