Two County residents among King Charles Coronation Medal recipients

King Charles III Coronation Medals were presented by MPP Tyler Allsopp and ViQ’s Brenda Snider, to Darrell Smith, Sheri Meeks, Nancy Parks, Aruna Alexander, Pat Simard, Terry Sprague and John McDonald.

Two Prince Edward County residents were among seven area residents presented with King Charles III Coronation Medals.

Bay of Quinte MPP Tyler Allsopp presented the medals Friday on behalf of the Governor General of Canada and Premier of Ontario. The Canadian government commissioned the medals in May 2023 leading up to King’s coronation to honor people who have made significant contributions.

“This is something very special to me. I wish I had more to give out,” said Allsopp. “We have so many great deserving people in our community, but I think the people who were selected really represent the best qualities of volunteers in the area.”

Five nominees were chosen by Allsopp, two by Volunteer and Information Quinte.

Nancy Parks with MPP Tyler Allsopp

The County’s Nancy Parks was honoured as a key figure in opening a residential hospice in 2013, and as co-chair of the Back the Build Campaign which has raised more than $23 million for a new hospital in Picton. She has also been an avid volunteer for minor sports, the PEC Syria campaign and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Prince Edward County naturalist Terry Sprague, who has broadly educated his community through work at Sandbanks Provincial Park, more than 50 years of column writing, guided tours and most recently ‘Zoom’ webinars, was also honoured.

Terry Sprague with MPP Tyler Allsopp

Also honoured were:

Aruna Alexander of Belleville, a founding member of the Quinte branch of the United Nations Association in Canada and a Reverend Doctor within the United Church, who has been a leading advocate for diversity and inclusion.

John McDonald of Quinte West who has been involved with hockey for more than 40 years helping to make the Trenton Golden Hawks a model Junior A organization, winning championships and building strong ties within the Quinte West community, CFB Trenton and local charities.

Sheri Meeks, Belleville Police Service Deputy Chief who has also served her community as a volunteer or board member with 25 organizations, many supporting children and those living with disabilities.

Pat Simard, of Quinte West, a volunteer throughout the region for more than 10 years including with the United Way, Community Development Council, YMCA, local hospitals, Children’s Foundation and Big Brothers/Sisters.

Darrell Smith, of Belleville, who for more than 25 years has provided leadership in volunteer roles including as past Volunteer and Information Quinte board chair, past president of the Belleville Rotary, local hospital foundations and was named a guardian angel by the Children’s Foundation.

Riding residents honoured with King Charles Coronation medals