Kindness ‘alive and well’ as West Hants celebrates its 2026 outstanding volunteers

Whether organizing a fundraiser to help an individual down on their luck, stepping up to coach a sports team, or stacking chairs after an event, every person who gives of their time is helping to make the community better.

Rob Davies, who was West Hants Regional Municipality’s provincial volunteer in 2025, was the keynote speaker at this year’s municipal volunteer awards banquet.

He commended those gathered in Windsor Sept. 23 for their commitment to the community.

“We have something in common that I think is incredibly important. You give your time to other people,” he said.

While it may sound simple, Davies said, it isn’t. Time is one of the most precious, and finite, commodities a person has.

“In a world where we often ask, ‘What’s in it for me?’ Volunteering asks a different question: ‘What can I do for someone else?’ When enough people start asking that question, communities change. They become stronger. They become more connected. They become places where people look after one another,” he said.

And those gathered in Walker’s Restaurant understood that, Davies said, noting they step up time and again.

“Don’t underestimate those hours. Don’t underestimate those small acts. Don’t underestimate what it means to simply show up,” he said.

“Because communities aren’t built on a bunch of extraordinary people doing extraordinary things. They’re built by ordinary people who are willing to do something. One hour, one practice, one fundraising meal … eventually, all those small acts become something much bigger than any one volunteer.”

It was a sentiment echoed by others celebrating the region’s volunteers.

In a written statement, Mayor Abraham Zebian, who was unable to attend the ceremony in person as he was on a plane above the Atlantic Ocean, commended those who help make West Hants stand out.

“In a time when the news can feel pretty heavy, you are the proof that kindness is alive and well – and apparently, it lives right here in West Hants,” he wrote.

“You don’t do it for pay. You don’t do it for glory. Let’s face it, if you were in it for the glory, you picked the wrong career – there’s no red carpet for stacking chairs after a community supper,” his message continued.

“You do it because you care. And that makes all the difference. You are the inspiration that makes the West Hants Regional Municipality the welcoming and amazing place it is.”

The municipality thanked 18 individuals, including two youths, and the Hants County Christmas Angels Society.

A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections – Nova Scotia West received the 28th annual community business appreciation award. Accepting the award was owner Alex Pay. It was noted the business has donated to the GLF Newport and District Arena, to “various sports organizations, individual sports teams, the Belmont Community Hall, sea cadets, (and) hosted annual community clean-ups,” as well as contributed to other community events.

Additionally, longtime musician, composer, and conductor Roger Taylor was selected to represent West Hants at the provincial volunteer awards ceremony Sept. 28 in Halifax.

For more than 20 years, Taylor has shared his talent as a conductor, composer, and arranger with the Four Seasons Community Orchestra.

The municipality said his endeavours have enriched audiences and nurtured local musical talent.

“His passion for music and community has also inspired the creation of numerous performing groups over the years, including choral groups, small ensembles, bands, and other orchestral groups,” said Kathy Johnston-Isenor, the manager of recreation and community engagement for West Hants and MC for the event.

“Through his leadership, Roger has earned the respect and admiration of countless musicians and music lovers alike. His dedication to collaboration and creativity continues to make a lasting impact on the cultural vitality of West Hants.”

Taylor said he was humbled by the recognition.

“It’s a huge honour,” Taylor said following the banquet.

He said when you receive an award or are judged on a performance, it’s usually by peers dedicated to that particular field.

“Whereas here, where you’re volunteer of the year, the people who have nominated you, or who appreciate what you’ve done, are not necessarily in the field that you work in. Maybe some of them don’t even like the field you work in. But they kind of appreciate that something of value to the community is being done,” he said, reflecting on the honour.

“It’s made by people from all walks of life, who seem to think that what I’ve done, or what the people around me have done, is something of value to the community.”

Taylor, who lives in Garlands Crossing, is still very active in the music world. Aside from the community orchestra in West Hants, he’s involved with the Greenwood String Ensemble. He’s also still composing and tutoring.

“It’s what I love to do.”

He said he gets a sense of satisfaction seeing musicians thrive.

“To see the light in somebody’s eye when they produce something that you’ve helped them to produce, and that they will then go out on their own feet and continue producing and creating by themselves, knowing that you’ve had a hand in opening up that world with them, it’s a wonderful feeling,” he said. “That’s why I’m addicted to it, I guess.”

He encourages others to find what they’re passionate about as it won’t feel like work.

“If you love something, and you live that, then the example you give will inspire other people to do the same, no matter what field they’re in,” he said.

Taylor said you must enjoy what you’re doing and “do it with your whole heart, and you will inspire the whole community around you. That’s the way I feel about it.”

The West Hants Regional Municipality held its volunteer awards banquet Sept. 23 in Windsor. Awards were presented to:

2026 West Hants provincial volunteer of the year

28th annual business community appreciation award

Board recipient

Individual recipients