The number of people nominated for the county volunteer awards this year has gone way up.
The county, with the Guelph-Wellington Volunteer Centre, presents awards to groups and individuals from each municipality every April, when volunteers are recognized all over the country.
The centre’s Cathy Taylor said, “Words alone are not enough to fully recognize their impressive contribution.”
This is the fifth annual Wellington County Volunteer appreciation awards.
The mayor of each municipally was asked to present the local recipient.
Centre Wellington
County Warden and Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj presented the township award to Cinda Richardson, of Fergus.
Her many contributions include efforts to help establish the Elora Festival. She has served meals, ushered, performed administrative tasks and trained gift shop volunteers.
She is a founding member of the Fergus Chapter of Stephen Lewis’s Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign, where Canadian Grandmothers assist African Grannies in their role as sole support to children whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS.
She helped organize a lecture series, planned fundraising events and provided workshops to high school students.
She organized a book drive for victims of Hurricane Katrina, delivered hampers for the Centre Wellington Food Bank, canvassed for the Canadian Cancer Society and Heart and Stroke Foundation and provided literacy support to local high schools.
Ross-Zuj said that in the words of her nominator, “Cinda is an extremely valuable volunteer who does what she does with her whole heart and soul.”
Wellington North
Mayor Mike Broomhead introduced Chris McIntosh from the Township of Wellington North.
He is is a long time resident of Arthur and has always been an active volunteer, coaching baseball and serving on the parent council at the public school. He taught Sunday School and was its superintendent for three years. More recently, McIntosh has trained for and completed the “60km Walk to End Breast Cancer” where he raised $10,000 for a family in need.
Last year, he served on the Habitat for Humanity site selection committee in Arthur and when the need arose for a site supervisor, he volunteered for that, too. He is currently the treasurer of the Agricultural Society, a supervisor at The Door drop in centre, and an active member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church.
He has also completed two mission trips to Nicaragua and is in the midst of planning another for 2011 to build a Sunday school in that country. He was also co-organizer of the fundraising events that helped support them.
Broomhead said McIntosh’s family is also active in the community, and “It all comes so naturally to you.”
Guelph-Eramosa
Mayor Chris White presented the Guelph-Eramosa award to Evelyn Smith MacKay.
He said she is a registered nurse and a dynamic leader in the Guelph/Wellington and Ontario Hospice movement. As a registered therapeutic touch practitioner, teacher and board member of Hospice Wellington, she “has become an invaluable resource of expertise, providing programs, guidance, support, and compassion to people of all ages in Guelph and Wellington County.”
White noted, “Evelyn offers her gift of therapeutic touch to people in need and provides training to volunteers who then in turn serve others. According to Rosslyn Bentley, Executive Director of Hospice Wellington, ‘Evelyn lives her strong commitment to her community, through her care for those in need within our community and especially through her energetic efforts to design facilities and programs appropriate to those in our society whose lives are changed as a result of illness.’ ”
White said if it were not for volunteers like MacKay, the township could not offer nearly as many services as it does.
Puslinch
Mayor Brad Whitcombe offered congratulations to Bob Paul and noted he “has been an integral part” of the Puslinch Pioneer, serving as reporter and president. Bob has reported on over 500 township council meetings during the past 13 years with the monthly community Newspaper. It is estimated that he contributes more than 300 hours a year.
Whitcombe said “Bob’s contributions to the community of Puslinch have been invaluable. He has unselfishly given his time to provide the residents with an unbiased straightforward report on the ongoing issues discussed at the bi-monthly council meetings.”
Paul is a retired school teacher and principal and also a member of the Retired Teachers of Ontario where he served as president for two years, a volunteer with the Evergreen Seniors Centre, where he visits seniors in their home to provide gentle progressive exercise and a member of the Guelph Men’s Club.
Paul said he does not think the community appreciates the local politicians who do a large amount of work “for very little money or praise.”
Mapleton
Mayor John Green introduced Ray and Ruth Grose of the Township of Mapleton. He said there are a multitude of ways they contributed to their community.
Ray is a founding member of the Alma Optimists and has been involved for over 35 years, including two terms as president. He is currently the chairman of the fund raising committee, and also volunteered as a Scout leader and a board member with the Drayton Festival Theatre and Alma United Church.
With his interest and skill at welding, he not only founded the business Husky Farm Equipment, but also build the world’s largest frying pan which is periodically loaned out for charitable purposes. In addition to being a handyman, Ray is also a great cook. He barbecues for local volunteer groups and Green said it is estimated that last year alone, he cooked 5,000 pounds of meat that was served with 90 gallons of Ruth’s famous gravy.
Green said Ruth is no stranger to volunteerism either. She volunteered with UNICEF for almost 40 years where, together with the children, she collects $1,000 annually. She especially likes working with youth and has served as a Sunday School teacher with the Alma United Church for 25 years, a 4-H Club leader for 18 years, and a Canadian Girls in Training volunteer for four years.
She has been an active member of the Women’s Institute for 35 years, serving on the executive at the local, regional and provincial levels.
She has put her professional talents into service at various local charities as a a treasurer and auditor.
Green said they play a major role in the building of community spirit – whether it is the community of Alma, the Church community or the Optimist community.
Minto
Mayor David Anderson introduced his town’s volunteer award winner, Dave Wilson.
Anderson said Wilson is a dedicated member of the Palmerston Lions Club and was instrumental in the building of the Palmerston Lions Heritage Park by laying the cobblestone path, installing the fountain, planting, digging or building retaining walls. He used his expertise as a building inspector to lead the way.
Anderson added, “Whether it be construction advice or committee and cabinet work, Dave has contributed to a number of community improvements including the splash pad, Lawrence Park playground, Norgan Theatre renovation and, more recently, the Canadian National Railway Association renovation.”
He assisted in a number of fundraising efforts including: the Valentines lottery and dance, the Canadian Handcar championships, and the annual Palmerston Lions golf tournament, and served in a leadership capacity as Lions cabinet secretary, directory and president.
Anderson said, according to his nominators, “Whenever a decision is to be made everyone young and old look to Lion Dave our everyday hero.”
Wilson said nobody does volunteer work for rewards, but it is nice to be recognized. He added, “The easy thing about volunteering is, all you have to do is say, ‘Yes.’ ”
Erin
Mayor Rod Finnie introduced the East Wellington Family Health Team Board that won the volunteer award in the Town of Erin. The team board consists of Erik Stern, Rebecca Sutherns, Rachel Ingram, John Wilson, Diarmid Campbell, Kevin Flanagan, John Platz and Dr. Duncan Bull. Michelle Karker was also recognized as executive director.
Finnie said the process began ten years ago, and the board has been successful in bringing two new medical facilities into the community, and, can now address a severe medical shortage in East Wellington. The clinic in Rockwood is complete and the project in Erin will be ready by the end of the year.
“This group of people should be proud of their persistence in the face of various challenges.
“They have all spent countless hours in meetings with provincial and municipal governments, developers, doctors and other health professionals.
“As a result of their hand work and dedication, the communities of Erin and Rockwood will be able to attract more physicians and allow residents greater choice in receiving their medical care locally. We all thank you.”
