For many years now, Earl Martin has spent one hour a day toiling away in a room filled with historical files, books and more, on the edge of town in the Library and Archives Canada building.
The long-time Heritage Renfrew volunteer has dedicated his time to a particular project – digitizing negatives from the Renfrew Mercury newspaper.
Heritage Renfrew is a group of volunteers dedicated to the preservation of historic documents from Renfrew and surrounding area.
Treasurer Doug Fraser and board member Earl Kuseler said they are grateful for the contributions of Martin, who has produced well over 150,000 images from negatives from 1961 through to 1999.
“Along with his many other tasks over his years with Heritage Renfrew, he has worked tirelessly and with dedication. We shall endeavour to find more projects for him to tackle,” reads a tribute in Heritage Renfrew’s winter newsletter.
Martin is described as a humble volunteer, known for helping out in the community in various ways, and dedicated to his tasks.
And while Martin will still hang around for some tasks at the archives, there is a need for a volunteer to complete the remaining three years of negatives. And, in fact, Heritage Renfrew could use more volunteers, in general.
There are presently 41 members and six directors but only two active directors responsible for all the necessary functions, which includes making materials available to the public for research purposes.
There are a variety of ways potential new volunteers could help, including with social media, communications, and fundraising.
The organization has had to drop a number of events over the past several years and would also welcome someone able to plan and execute events that would raise needed funds for the organization.
The board is interested in hearing from those who might like to get involved.
For more information visit heritagerenfrew.ca or send an email to info@heritagerenfrew.ca .
(Written by Sherry Haaima)