Léo Johnson has been volunteering in his community of Greater Moncton for more than 45 years.
Most recently, Léo started Enviro Plus. He and his team take donated furniture, fix it, scape it, staple it, steam it and then sell it, with the money going toward a 16 week program that teaches job skills to those in need.
Over the course of the last three years, they have expanded from a small 2,400 square foot building to 18,000 square feet.
“The idea is to try to put back to work the people that are on welfare, those who want to help themselves,” says Léo.
With his wife by his side, Léo volunteers 40 to 50 hours a week.
“What surprised me the most about Léo, and his wife is just as devoted, is the passion they have to help other people. It's all going to help other people, it's never for them,” says Maurice Richard, president of the board of directors.
In fact, Léo has been volunteering in the community in some capacity for 45 years.
“He's the most unselfish person I've ever met,” says Paul LeBlanc, a member of the Enviro Plus board of directors. “He has all the tools, he's got compassion, he gives a lot and it comes from the heart.”
Léo says it is his latest project that gives him the most pleasure. At the end of the job skills program, most people move on to full time positions in the community.
“When we see that, it's a way of living for us it's plain and simple, but when we see that, right there, it's our thanks,” says Léo.
For his previous charitable efforts, Léo was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada medal and the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.
Congratulations to Léo Johnson, our Maritimer of the Week.
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Maritimer of the Week
P.O. Box 1653
Halifax, N.S.
B3J 2Z4
