Volunteers honoured at recognition night

Written By JOSHUA SANTOS

A number of volunteers were recognized for efforts during community recognition night at the Caledon East Community Complex on Thursday, April 18.

Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones, Mayor Allan Thompson, Town council, and dignitaries were in attendance honouring and celebrating citizens for sharing their time and talents to enhance the community.  

Doris Porter was named Community Champion. Porter has dedicated her entire life to helping others from her service during the Second World War to helping her neighbours and fellow citizens through volunteerism. Porter was shocked when she named the recipient. 

“I'm 95-years-old and I don't do anything,” Porter said, modestly after winning the award. “The Mayor phoned me to tell me, and that's what I said. I don't do anything. I just sit around read books and watch the T.V. He said you did things before, and I did a lot of things.”

Porter served as treasurer of the Albion Bolton Historical Society for over 30 years, served as church warden with Christ Church Bolton, is a member of Order of Eastern Star in Bolton, has volunteer with Caledon Meals on Wheels, knitted garments for preemies and worked with countless seniors and community group. She is also a lifelong resident of Caledon.

The award is nominated by a selection committee and approved by the Town of Caledon Council. The individual award is the highest honour of the community recognition night and recognizes one individual.

Doris likes any social activities and volunteered for many organizations because she enjoyed being involved, and what was going on.

“You learn to get along with people, and that's a step in the right direction right there, because if you belong to something and they're bickering and fighting, you just quit,” said Porter. “In all of those things, there wasn't bickering or fighting.”

She said it was wonderful seeing recipients being recognized for their volunteer efforts.

“I think everybody should be doing some volunteering, because you can't stay in one little hole in the wall somewhere and have a fulfilled life,” said Porter. “You meet all sorts of people when you're volunteering.”

Recipients for Community and Social Services were Isabelle Bottoms, Raymond Bottoms, Donna Calabro, Stan Cameron, Gary Caprara, Sheila Freitag, Dianne Hasmatali, Sherrie Kirkpatrick, Wendy LaLonde, Susanne McRoberts, Gordon Morton, Wayne Noble, Jason Scorcia, Sandra Spencer, Trudy Valier and Cy Wallace. 

Donna Ferron was named recipient of Environmental Leadership. 

David Borscevski, Daniel Horton, Candice MacPhee, Dr. Goldie Millar and Bob Symons were name recipients in Sports and Recreation. 

Nathalie Andrews was a recipient in Arts and Culture.

In the Committees of Council Members, Brian Atkinson, Gary Cascone, Janet Clark, Tom Dolson and Branda Duncan were recognized for their work with the Committee of Adjustment. 

Jiulia Franceschinis, Brian Perras and Fernando Zambito were recognized for their work with the Hearing Tribunal. 

Ray Cowan, Dely Farrace, Frank Lucheta, Maureen Tymkow were recognized for their work with the Accessibility Advisory Committee.

Helen Mason and Susan Norberg were recognized for their work with Heritage Caledon.

Jimmy Pountney, Luci Verdile and Tony Viola were recognized for their work with the Bolton Business Improvement Area and Suzanne French, Chris Gilmer, Sandy Keith, Susane McRoberts and Lynne van Ryzewyk were recognized for their work with the Caledon Public Library Board.

In Citizen Achievement Awards, Bob Knuckley, Balraj Singh Saroya, Tarleen Kaur Saroya and Tarnpeet Kaur Saroya were named recipients in Sports Achievement. 

Elizabeth Metcalfe was named recipient on Arts and Culture and Donna Cragg was named recipient of Distinguished Citizen. 

“If you stop and think about it, volunteers impact our everyday life,” said Thompson. It doesn't matter if it's coaching…mentoring our youth, spending time with a shuttered senior, answering the phones at Bethell, sorting through donations of food or clothing, driving someone to their medical appointment, cleaning up a part of the street, planting flowers in public places, serving on boards and committees; and it goes on and on and on and that's what makes our community special.”

Thompson reflected on the house explosion in Caledon Village and the Bolton Flood. He said volunteers came together to, graciously, do anything they can to help.

“I know the Red Cross has said they were just totally blown away from both of those instances when they've been called in and just how the community takes everybody in,” said Thompson. “That's what makes Caledon so unique, and that's what, as the Mayor, I'm so thankful for. I think for all of council I can say, that's what makes Caledon special and it's a joy for us to serve.

“I want to thank all of you. We want to recognize all of you for your achievements that it has gone unnoticed, but also recognize the organizations and the work they can do and couldn't do without the help of what you do.”