By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
When it comes to helping others through volunteering, Kristine Jarvis continues to hit it out of the park.
For the second year running, the Chatham-Kent Police Service employee has been recognized by the Police Association of Ontario for her dedication to the community.
Jarvis was chosen as one of two Community Role Model finalists in the seventh annual Police Services Hero of the Year Awards.
She was selected from among 300 entries.
Mark Baxter, president of the provincial association, travelled to Chatham to personally present Jarvis with the award at police headquarters.
Baxter called Jarvis’ efforts the “epitome of a community role model.
“You give your time and energy as if it’s endless and you do so with no expectations in return, other than you know you’ve helped people in the community,” Baxter said. “If we had more people like you, this world would really be a better place.”
On top of her busy job working in the CKPS CIPC (Canada Police Information Centre) unit and records management, Jarvis has a long list of organizations she volunteers with.
She is an original member of the Shop With A Cop (now Holiday with a Hero) steering committee; chairperson of the Salvation Army Toy Drive; a volunteer with the MAKE A WISH Foundation; the bursary and donor co-ordinator of the Paul Herfst Memorial Bursary and a participant in the Special Olympics Polar Plunge.
Jarvis is also the president of the board for Chatham-Kent Victim Services.
When shyly accepting the award, Jarvis said she was both “honoured and humbled” and she thanked the police service for “always giving me opportunity and room to grow.”
Jarvis also received in person congratulations from Chatham-Kent–Leamington MP Dave Epp, Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, Acting Police Chief Kirk Earley and Victoria Labadie, vice-president of the CKPS Police Association.
