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Deborah Murray is a volunteer with a long standing dedication to the community of Port McNeill. She is a person who wears many hats, as she is involved in many initiatives which aim to help make a difference in people’s lives and better the community.
“It is my community and it has given me a lot and I feel that we are all responsible for giving back for those who can,” said Murray.
She said when she was involved with the PAC in her children’s school, another parent asked “What are all other people doing that don’t have kids, do they want to help?” Murray said that moment stuck with her, and she said when her kids were older she wanted to stay as equally involved in her community.
“That is sort of what motivates me a lot – that statement that day,” she said, adding “Reflecting on how you support your community and look at the bigger picture and try and make a difference and see what needs to be done.” One of Murray’s big projects was helping establish the Wild Heart Music Program with her daughter Georgia Murray and other members of the Port McNeill Community.
The non-profit music program has been bringing free choir lessons and vocal workshops to the youth of the North Island since 2013. The program remains free as Wild Heart Funds the cost, but it has now grown and been embraced by the North Island School District, bringing music back to the schools of the North Island.
“Wild Heart started and moved forward and now it’s moving itself forward,” said Murray, adding “The goal is to try and create something that will contain itself and not depend on one person.”
Murray is also an active member of the Port McNeill Rotary Club, which does a number of things to better the town. One of the highlights for Murray was her involvement with the annual Rugged and Wild Race, used fundraise for the completion of the Port McNeill Community Rotary Trail.
The first year they held the Rugged and Wild Race they expected 60 people to show up and they got 200 participants. “That was a really good day – Wild and Rugged race with Rotary was a big highlight,” said Murray. She is also, a Sacraments Elder at the St. John Gaulbert Anglican United Church (known as the A-Frame Church), which is completely run by volunteers and hosts many community programs including a happy gang for seniors with mobility issues, meditation, bible study, wellness clinic, a community garden and more.
“The church is a very big part of what I do,” said
Murray, adding “I think we have created an increased awareness that we are concerned and we are a community church.”
A big part of the church is the A-Frame Bookstore, which has been dubbed the best second hand bookstore north of Nanaimo and become a place for people in the community to socialize. The proceeds from the A-Frame bookstore go towards funding all of the programs that the A-Frame church is able to provide.
On being nominated in the local hero awards, Murray said while thinks the concept of honouring is good, she find it difficult to be recognized.
“I’m thinking about all the other people that do so much more and do it from places that are very difficult,” said Murray, adding “That’s the whole thing about people like us, that is not why we are here, that is not why we do it.
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