Joline Vassallo - 2014 Vital Award Winner

Growing up in Sydney, Joline Vassallo has called Cape Breton home her entire life.  This sense of belonging and community pride is one of the many reasons she continues to dedicate her time to help improve the lives of many other people just like her across the Island.

A Financial Service Officer at the Sydney Credit Union, Joline’s smiling face and bright personality are a fixture at the local institution. Joline enjoys and takes great pride in welcoming clients and ensuring no question is left unanswered. Her determination and drive to make Cape Breton a better place for people to live and settle down with their families are evident in commitment to her community through her ongoing involvement in numerous groups and clubs within the area including, the Special Olympics and the SPCA.

In 2014, Joline was shocked and honoured upon finding out she had won a Vital Excellence Award at the inaugural celebration. Joline proudly displays her award on her desk at work, when asked what it represents she excitedly explains what the Vital Awards are and how important they are to the continued development of her community.

To Joline, vital means, “necessary to have, and an ambassador to Cape Breton” characteristics she believes are present in all of the previous winners.”

“Events like the Vital Excellence Awards strengthen our wonderful island,” says Joline. “It shows that we as a region are vital components of a bigger, grander community, like all of the other areas in Canada. The awards provide the opportunity to shine the light on the many successful people that have made a conscious choice to stay and make a better life in Cape Breton for themselves, while also making it better place for their peers.”

Her advice to others is to, “not give up, strive to get what you want and build the life you deserve, wherever you chose to live.”

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