General News

Volunteer Champion specializes in quilts and knitting

April 24, 2013   ·   0 Comments

By Bill Rea
Dorothy Stewart is Caledon’s Volunteer Champion for 2013.
The honour was conferred on her Monday night at the Town’s annual Volunteer and Citizen Achievement Awards ceremony.
Stewart, who has lived in Bolton 19 years after moving from a farm just north of the village where she lived since 1948, said she received an invitation to attend the ceremony about a month ago, although she had no idea what she was to receive.
“It wasn’t until I walked in tonight,” she commented after the ceremony, adding her family had known in advance and made sure she was there.
In making the presentation, Mayor Marolyn Morrison called Stewart “a shining example of a true volunteer.”
Her contributions to the community have included serving on the Albion-Bolton Library Board, and being an active member of the Anglican Church Women, Rebekah Lodge and Brampton Quilters’ Guild. She has also sat on the board of Caledon Community Service (CCS).
Morrison said Stewart currently co-ordinates with the Rotary Club to provide linens and knitted goods, like hats, scarves and mittens, for residents in Sioux Lookout. As well, her group of knitters have contributed 1,600 knitted bears to charity, through Samaritan’s Purse.
“She organizes the donation of knitted baby hats for newborns at Headwaters Hospital in Orangeville,” Morrison observed. “Dorothy crochets prayer shawls for distribution through Christ Church in Bolton.”
In addition, she said Stewart is part of the ACW that fills Christmas stocking for residents at King Nursing Home and sews pet beds for an animal shelter.
“Residents who know about Dorothy think of her first when they inherit collections of knitting yarn and fabric pieces,” Morrison said. “They deliver it in bundles and Dorothy turns it into beautiful, unique, handmade pieces to be used by needy families.”
Stewart expressed appreciation for the support she has received over the years from her family and other volunteers.
“They are the real volunteers in all the things I do,” she remarked.
“I’m so thrilled,” she said later. “I’m so interested in doing volunteer work and I’m encouraged to do it.”
Stewart was just one of more than 40 Caledon residents who were recognized for their volunteer activities at the ceremonies.
Broadcaster Tayler Parnaby, MC for the evening, said the ceremonies were to honour “their outstanding contributions to the community.”
“An impressive group, I think you would agree,” he added.
Morrison said the efforts of these people reflect “a vital part of the town and the social fabric of the community.”
She also reflected on the impact these people have had on others, including the young.”You have set an example for our youth to live by,” she said.
“It is so critically important that we thank our volunteers,” observed Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones.
Those recognized in the area of community and social services included Rosa Alvarez, founder of the Caledon Breast Cancer Foundation; Linda Clumpus, a driver for the CCS transportation program; Lynda Craig, who headed the committee to build the Margaret Dunn branch of Caledon Public Library; Nina de Wet, a volunteer at CCS’s Chez Thrift store who has a flair for creating window displays; Stan Janes and Diane Tolstoy, who started the Home James program that helps get people home if they’ve had too much to drink; Andrea Judge, a 4-H volunteer and leader of the Life Skills Clubs; Don Marentette, CCS board chair; Jimmy Pountney, President of the Bolton Business Improvement Area; Barbara Rutter, who helps out where she’s needed, helping seniors in her community; Darlene Sharpe, leader of the Peel 4-H Dairy Club; Les Sharpe, who helps youth in the Peel 4-H Dairy Club; and Mike Weston, who floods the outdoor rink behind Alton Public School.
Those recognized for contributing to sports and recreation included Dave Campbell, who has performed various roles for the Bolton Skating Club; Cathy Goudreau, who has put in countless hours with the Caledon Skating Club, including being president and member of the board; Colena Johnson, who runs the volunteer snack bar for Alton Minor Softball; and Ellen Speight, test chair for Bolton Skating Club.
Several people were honoured for their contributions to various committees of council. They included the Business Improvement Association — Matrin Besko; Committee of Adjustment — Juergen Partridge; Caledon Environmental Advisory Committee — Neil Morris and Heather Stock; Heritage Caledon Committee — Albert Post (posthumously), Cathy Crinnion and Ted Von Zuben; and Seniors’ Advisory Committee — Dr. Bob Williams (posthumously).
Two young men were recognized for their athletic accomplishments, largely through C3 Canadian Cross Training Club.
“I would not choose to try and out run them,” Parnaby said.
Taylor Reid is working to make Canada’s national triathlon team and Andrew Yorke, who still does his base training miles locally and was first alternate in the triathlon in last years Olympic Games in London.
Those receiving Distinguished Citizen recognition included Pearl Auer, for more than 29 years of involvement at the Davis Centre, starting even before the Centre was opened; Stewart Barclay, for thousands of hours he’s devoted to the C3 Kids of Steel Triathlon; Susan Fletcher, the longest serving member of the Board of Directors of the Palgrave Tennis Club; Margaret Ford, who has volunteered at Chez Thrift for 13 years; Barbara Gough, who has been active in the local business community , becoming the first woman to chair the Caledon Chamber of Commerce and having sat on the Board of Directors of Family Transition Place; Frank Lightbound, a driver for 13 years with the CCS Transportation Program; Dale O’Hara, who has been very active in various projects in Inglewood; Carol Ohlers, who’s been part of the Caledon Seniors’ Centre for many years; Maureen Robinson, for her 42 years of service to Guiding; Lisa Scale, a local professional photographer who has contributed to a number of local projects, including the Caledon Breast Cancer Foundation and the Tema Conter Memorial Trust; Pamela Seidel, one of the core leaders of Guiding in Bolton; Barrie Shepley, the triathlon coach who guided Simon Whitfield to his Olympic gold medal in 2000; Gisela Steller, who helps those who need her assistance at the Davis Centre; Chris Svirklys, who has volunteered his services in trail construction for years, including in Albion and Palgrave; and John Tutty, a long-time coach at Mayfield Secondary School.

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