The Volunteer Centre of Guelph and Wellington, in partnership with the County of Wellington, announced the recipients of the seventh annual County of Wellington Volunteer Appreciation Awards at county council on April 26.
The awards recognize and honour contributions of individuals who devote their volunteer time and effort to the continuous development of local non-profit and charitable organizations.
“Without you, the county would not be the same place,” county councillor Lou Maieron, the coordinator of the project, told the recipients.
Cathy Taylor, executive director of the volunteer centre, said, “The contributions of the volunteers we honour today have made an exceptional difference in our community.
“It is those volunteers whose generosity of time and spirit build our communities and inspire others to contribute to making Wellington County a wonderful place to live.”
Centre Wellington
Brian Dowling is the recipient for the Township of Centre Wellington. County councillor and township Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj read his citation.
“Brian is involved with a number of community benefit organizations, including but not limited to Meals on Wheels, Neighbourhood Link, a continuation of the community dinner program, Habitat for Humanity and the Theatre on the Grand.
“He is a member of the St. James Anglican Church council, a valued member of the Groves Memorial Hospital Ethics committee, a founding member of the social justice committee and a nine-year board member and volunteer for the Centre Wellington Food Bank.”
Dowling said he was “flabbergasted” when he learned he would receive the award and also the title of the township’s citizen of the year. He wondered “who on earth would dig into my past … I’m deeply honoured to receive this.”
Wellington North
Laura Cherrey was the recipient for Wellington North and Mayor Ray Tout read the citation.
“In high school, Laura co-founded the local chapter of Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving, became a big sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mount Forest and District and gave her time as an assistant Girl Guide Leader. More recently, Laura had volunteered with Victim Services Wellington for two years as a Direct Service volunteer who supports victims of crimes, trauma and tragic circumstances.
“She spends an hour a week as an in-school mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters providing a young girl with supportive adult role model. As part of the parent council, Laura helped to raise funds purchase Smart Boards for St. Mary’s Catholic School. She also supports a group called Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) by attending bi-weekly meetings and writing a bi-monthly Newsletter.”
Cherrey said she was raised in a faith based home and it was instilled in her to “always give back.” She added, “My heart is always with children,” and her goal is to “make our communities better.”
Guelph-Eramosa
White Kit Bresnahan is the recipient for the Township of Guelph-Eramosa.
Warden White read her citation.
“Kit is involved in countless community activities in Eden Mills. He has served 10 terms as the vice-president of the Eden Mills and District Community Club. Through the organization of community concerts, Kit has helped to raise $70,000 for local charitable organizations. Kit is the founder of the Eden Mills Going Carbon Neutral Youth Group, has served for 14 years on the board of directors for the Eden Mills Millpond Conservation Association, sat on the steering committee for Guelph Transition and organizes local Earth Day celebrations and tree planting events with youth groups.
“He is the co-leader for the Jack Rabbit cross country ski team and helped a group of young people to organize a hopscotch event for Free the Children. Kit also goes door to door for the Canadian Cancer Society’s daffodil campaign in April.
Bresnahan said his creed includes respect for others, compassion and community service to people and the environment.
“I’m really honoured … We are all part of this web of life.”
Puslinch
Claire Alexander is the recipient for the Township of Puslinch.
Councillor Dennis Lever read her citation.
“Claire is a member of the Life Donation Awareness Association, has served on the Trillium Gift of Life donor family advisory board and Trillium’s volunteer committee.
“She was also instrumental in bringing the RecycleMe program to the University of Guelph, has organized Wear Your Green days at local schools to bring awareness to organ donation and speaks at schools and community events. Claire was also instrumental in the development of the Bracelet of Hope – a grass roots organization that engages Canadians in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa. The red and white bracelets continue to be a successful student-led initiative.
Claire is also involved with fundraising and other volunteer activities in Puslinch such as the Santa Claus parade and has served a number of years on the executive of Puslinch Soccer. She participates in her local parent council helping to organize family fun nights and speakers on parenting and education issues.
Alexander cited the Volunteer Centre of Guelph and Wellington for helping her in her volunteer work. She said it “gave me the confidence” to launch her own volunteer initiatives.
She offered thanks to her family because she recognized “hours spent volunteering could be spend with family.”
Mapleton
Township Mayor Bruce Whale read the citation for Walter Grose.
“Walter Grose is the recipient for the Township of Mapleton. Walter has served as vice president of the Wellington County Farm and Home Safety Association and is currently the secretary. He also sits on the Work Place Safety Prevention Services advisory group.
“Walter dresses as a clown to educate youth on the dangers related to tractor use. Walter has supported the young adults at the University of Guelph Chapter of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association.
He also sits on the advisory committee for the Toronto Farm Show and the waste utilization sub committee.”
Whale concluded, Walter has held numerous roles at the Alma United Church and is the chairman of Silver Lake United Church Camp. He also volunteers at the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival and the Alma Strawberry Social.”
Grose thanked everyone for the award and his family for standing by him when it came to his volunteering. He noted that when he has to, he recruits his family to help him with various volunteer activities.
Grose said he is particularly concerned with safety issues. He said it is “a major goal” to save “just one life. If I can complete that I’ll feel I’ve been successful.
Minto
Linda Campbell is the recipient for the Town of Minto.
Mayor George Bridge read her citation.
“Linda served for four years as president of the Agricultural Society – homecraft division, and is now a member of the Agricultural Society’s board of directors. She is also a member of the Horticultural Society and has held many different positions, including president and is now a director of the society.
“She organizes the annual Garden Festival in June and sits on the bursary committee, which provides a student going into post-secondary education in horticulture with a bursary. For five years, she has been the chapter leader of the Harrison branch of TOPS. Linda has been a dedicated blood donor and gave her 100th donation in 2010. She also canvasses for the Kidney Foundation, the Diabetes Society and the Canadian Cancer Society.”
Campbell said, “I thought I was busy until I heard about the previous [winners]. She thanked her family and noted, “Without the volunteers who work beside me I don’t think I could do what I do – so I thank them as well.”
Erin
Brian Gentles is the recipient for the Town of Erin.
Maieron read his citation.
“Brian is the chairman of the economic development committee of Erin, leading the team in a business Retention and expansion study. As president -elect for the Rotary Club of Erin, Brian helped to organize a pancake breakfast, snowman building, family skating and ball hockey.
“There was also a silent auction, bake sale and family movie, all to benefit local charities. Brian is heavily involved with the Erin tennis club. He has run the junior program, started a men’s Sunday morning league and helps to organize the house league teams.
“He has served as vice-president and was president of the club for 11 years. Aside from tennis, Brian has also coached soccer and hockey for his children’s teams.
Gentles thanked the tennis club for nominating him and said his work was easy because he ran the club for 11 years and there were no fights.
“Erin is a terrific place to live and I feel honours to be here today.”
