60 Years of Volunteering Excellence

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is fortunate to benefit from Burt and Hefinwen (Fin) Sellick’s passionate commitment to volunteer service in our community. This year the Sellicks are both celebrating milestones in their volunteer commitment with Fin being recognized for 60 years of service and Burt for 20 years of service.

Fin obtained her Nursing qualifications at the Port Arthur General Hospital (PAGH), followed by Paediatric Training at Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto, and St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC.  She became involved with the Auxiliary at PAGH in 1958, and when President, was a member of Hospital Board of Governors for three years.

Fin also helped organize the immensely successful Goodie Tray sales that raised about $1,000 for the hospital each year. “Fin was amazing at organizing the sales,” says fellow volunteer Nancy Elmslie. “She has raised a lot of money for this organization.”

Fin also contributed countless crafts and hand quilting for hospital fundraisers. “Fin was involved in everything,” says fellow volunteer Marilyn Chisholm. “And she’s an extremely creative person.”

Over the years, Fin has been recognized for her volunteer service. In 1993, she was awarded the Bruce McDougall Award, in appreciation of dedicated service at the former Telecare Thunder Bay. In recognition of her extensive volunteer service, Fin received the Spirit of Thunder Bay Award in 2008.

While most of her volunteering has been in the health care field, Fin has also found time to sing in her church choir and in the Thunder Bay Symphony Chorus since their founding in 1974.

Together, Fin and her husband Burt Sellick have volunteered close to 6,000 hours for this hospital and the PAGH. Burt is being recognized this year for 20 years of hospital volunteer service.

“Each has been the other’s biggest supporter in terms of always being quick to do whatever was needed so that each could serve the community, the region, and, at times, provincial and national organizations,” says their son Dr. Scott Sellick.

“They have been each other’s greatest encourager and that has translated into both Hefinwen (Fin) and Burt being consummate encouragers, always quick to celebrate the efforts and achievements of others. There are scores of folks who will recall a kind and encouraging word when what was needed, more than anything, was a nudge or an acknowledgement of a solid effort and a job well-done.  Every day has been an adventure, and an opportunity to make a difference has rarely been missed!”

What motivates them to volunteer their time, skills, and energy? “We enjoy being involved with people and helping anyway we can,” says Fin.

Burt, whose motto is, ‘Maximize the moment,’ agrees. “We both very much enjoy the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives on a one-on-one basis.”