Volunteers..Ordinary People, Extraordinary Contributions
By Janet Eagleson
 I
think it’s pretty safe to say that every
one of us working for the Region of Peel has at
one time or another volunteered our time, our
talent and our spirit to some kind of civic-minded
cause.
Some of us give our time to our churches or community
groups. Others give to our children’s schools,
sports teams or clubs.
This year is International Year of the Volunteers
or IYV, as Carol Reid, co-chair of the Region’s
IYV Planning Committee, so enthusiastically refers
to it. Carol is Senior Counsel with the Region
and she has dedicated her time to the committee
to help honour the nearly 1,500 volunteers who
support our Region’s programs.
"I was blown away by the number and extent
of our volunteer network here at the Region of
Peel," Carol enthused. "I know we couldn’t
accomplish the great things we do in this organization
without the dedication of our volunteers."
Carol herself started volunteering at a very
young age because, as she so humbly stated, "it
was the natural thing to do!" She has been
involved in 4-H and Junior Farmers (community-based
organizations dedicated to the growth and development
of rural youth), as well as numerous church and
community betterment projects. For Carol, it’s
all about ‘giving back’.
"Volunteerism is really about people helping
people. Together, you talk, laugh and help a group
or a cause reach their goal. And best of all,
it’s fun!"
When I asked Carol about her favourite volunteering
memory, she burst into smile. She told me of a
story from last fall, when a group of 25 or so
friends spontaneously hustled off to a local farm
to pick apples for the needy. "There we were,
large and small, ages 3 to 70, busily gathering
bushels of delicious apples to distribute to the
homeless, families in difficult situations and
women’s shelters. The farmer gave us as many
as we could pick! We were all working together
for such a great cause… I really felt as
though I was a part of something special!"
As I was lifted by Carol’s enthusiasm, I
was struck by the words of my mother, who has
been my inspiration to volunteer: "I’ve
received many gifts in my life… it’s
only right to give back."
Congratulations to IYV co-chairs Carol Reid and
Betty Steele, the other department representatives
of the IYV Planning Committee and every employee
of the Region of Peel.
In this, the International Year of the Volunteers,
I’m proud to be surrounded by people who
honestly and sincerely know what it means to do
the ‘right’ thing. Thank you for giving
back.
* The IYV Planning Committee includes: Liz Panacci,
Executive Office (formerly of Peel Health); co-chair
Betty Steele from Peel Health; David Adair, Helen
Banna, Donna Clow and Ruth Collins from Social
Services; Valerie Dowbiggin and Donna McBride
from Housing and Property Services; Brenda Blain
and Lesley Radman from Public Works; and Maria
Moraca, Ruth Morayniss and co-chair Carol Reid
from Corporate Services. Regional Chair Emil Kolb
— the Region’s IYV Signature Person
— and the entire Senior Management Team have
enthusiastically endorsed the upcoming IYV Recognition
Event on September 30.
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