Terry Horton was officially recognized as the Area A Volunteer of the Year by the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) on Nov. 4.
Area A director Thomas McDonald formally acknowledged Horton's volunteer efforts at a celebration at the Fernie Best Western. For years, Horton has been working to help improve the lives of seniors at Rocky Mountain Village.
Area A includes the communities of Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford.
“Terry has greatly impacted the Rocky Mountain Village organization and its residents, adding enjoyment to their lives and providing positive memories. We are grateful that she gives her time so generously to all of her voluntary efforts," said McDonald.
Horton created the Music and Memory Program for village residents, creating custom playlists of music for each of them based on interviews with them and their families. She visited the village weekly and spent a few hours with each of the residents as they listed to the music on i-Pod shuffles, even travelling as far as Calgary to source listening devices.
Under Horton's guidance, nurses, resident care aides, students, and other volunteers, have all learned about the benefits of the Music and Memory Program.
When not working at the village, Horton volunteers for a music group called the Station Strings and serves as a board member for the BC Choral Federation, representing the Kootenays. She also sits on the RDEK Accessibility Advisory Committee.
