$1,000 donated to winner’s non-profit organization

Ontario - PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has recognized staff member Sherry Hempel as the 2009 Southwest Ontario Volunteer of the Year for her outstanding work with New Apostolic Church. A cash donation of $1,000 has been made to the organization in honour of her contributions. New Apostolic Church is a worldwide community of Christian worshippers.

“PwC’s Volunteer Recognition Program honours our volunteers for their enthusiasm and tremendous hands-on contributions to their communities,” says Glen Dyrda, PwC Southwest Ontario Managing Partner. “We are committed to giving back to the community, and we’re proud of people like Sherry who set an example for others to follow.”

Sherry is a Manager in PwC’s Audit and Assurance Group in the Waterloo office and has volunteered with the New Apostolic Church since she was a teenager. She is currently responsible for the technical development of the organists in the church across Canada. In this role, she delivers workshops and technical assistance to organists and provides advice on music choices. She is also a member of the National Music Committee and a member of many different choirs in the Southern Ontario area, where she is involved with program development. By lending her musical talents, she has advanced these activities, which have enhanced the church services and concerts and assisted in many fundraising activities for both local charities and overseas projects.

Andrew Latorcai, National Music Director of New Apostolic Church, adds: “We are not surprised that Sherry has been recognized for her volunteer work by PwC. For the past 29 years, she has not only leveraged her musical abilities, but used her combination of values and personality to bring added value to our organization.”

The Volunteer Recognition Program is just one of the programs of the PricewaterhouseCoopers Canada Foundation (www.pwc.com/ca/foundation). The Foundation and its mission of creating positive and lasting community change through the sharing of time, expertise and resources has been embraced by PwC staff and partners. The Volunteer Recognition Program is active in all PwC offices across Canada and gives staff the opportunity to nominate themselves for their volunteer efforts over the past year. Honourees are determined by a selection committee of their peers and are recognized at a local volunteer ceremony.

Recipients of local office Volunteer of the Year Awards are also eligible to receive the PwC National Volunteer of the Year Award, which celebrates the PwC Canada staff member who goes above and beyond in his/her service to others. This year’s PwC National Volunteer of the Year Award was announced during a special ceremony on November 16, 2009 and presented to Adam Nihmey, founder and president of The Prosperity™ Long-Term Care Fund.