The YMCA of Greater Toronto concluded our National Volunteer Week activities with a gala event held May 1 at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM).  Over 1,000 volunteers attended the “Faces of our Communities” event, which recognized 10 “Celebrated Volunteers”.

Our 2007 Celebrated Volunteers:

BRYAN GRAHAM

Bryan Graham started as a camp Pine Crest staff member and realized back then the opportunity he had to affect the lives of the children who attended camp. Now, more than 50 years later, Bryan continues to make a difference in children’s lives through his volunteer role as chair of the camp Pine Crest Advisory Committee.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of camp Pine Crest, Bryan has committed to assist us in our endeavours to develop an alumni program as well as raise one million dollars through a capital campaign to revitalize the camp. Bryan’s enthusiasm and devotion to children, families and residential camping is contagious.

Bryan exemplifies the leadership qualities he learned at camp. He wants to ensure that more children have the opportunity to share in all that camp has to offer. He spends a great deal of time re-connecting with alumni and providing them with opportunities to get involved. With Bryan as part of the team, we will achieve our goals and ensure children will experience Pine Crest for many years to come.

CHRISTINE DALGARNO

Christine Dalgarno has become a staple part of the Rouge Valley Child care Centre. She comes in smiling every Monday and Wednesday morning without fail. She greets families with a friendly hello as she busily starts her work in the centre.

Christine has Downs Syndrome and has helped children, parents and staff understand and appreciate differences in all people.

As a volunteer, Christine is a valuable part of our teaching team as well. She likes to get in and join the children at story time and at the same time she is very diligent in completing all the tasks that she is assigned. Christine really values being a part of the team at Rouge Valley. she enjoys her “job” and likes to joke with the staff. Her family have been great supporters in the Strong Kids campaign and truly reflect philanthropy at all times.

SAURABH BHARDWAJ

Since joining Stouffville’s Youth Leader Corps in September of 2005, Saurabh Bhardwaj has participated in many YMCA activities, events and programs. Time and time again, Saurabh has demonstrated the YMCA core values in his interaction with staff, members, and the community.

Saurabh makes a difference in the lives of our members, programs and the community on a daily basis. Back in 2005, Saurabh was a newcomer to Canada. When Saurabh began with the YLC, he never made eye contact, rarely spoke and was very shy and withdrawn. As time went on, Saurabh began to gain confidence instilled through the program, to the point where he is largely responsible for recruiting fifty percent of the participants that are now registered in the program.
 
Saurabh consistently and enthusiastically has wonderful attendance, punctuality and participation in all of our weekly meetings, fundraising endeavors, special events, and conferences/trips. Regardless of what is going on in his life at the time, Saurabh has been able to demonstrate leadership to the staff, fellow volunteers and community by always having one of the most positive and outgoing attitudes possible. He’s truly a remarkable young man.

ZALE TABAKMAN

Some would say that Zale Tabakman is a man of many talents, and we at the YMCA Business Centre in Markham would agree. Over the past year, we’ve had the benefit of having Zale volunteer at the centre in various capacities. Zale offers his time and expertise as a workshop presenter on marketing, and helped develop a 12-week series of workshops called “Success Through Balance.” The workshops are designed to support our members by giving them the opportunity for personal growth and success in life and leadership.

Zale’s focus has been mainly with our youth participants in the Youth Entrepreneurship Program (YEP), as the workshop series is incorporated into their program. He’s a mentor to the participants and supports and advises them on their business plan progress and is always available to sit in on their presentations. His dedication and compassion towards our young members is inspiring, and Zale understands the issues that they face in life and in finding full-time employment. Zale is caring, honest, inclusive and respectful at all times, and we’re honoured to have him as part of the YMCA Business Centre team.

CELY ANGLO

When Cely Anglo retired in 1990, she began volunteering at the Mississauga YMCA. Cely can be found most days in the Women’s Plus area, laundry, or anywhere she’s needed. She actively helps with Mississauga YMCA luncheons, the social club, and special events. Cely runs the floor at the annual Disco Bowl, selling arm lengths of raffle tickets to the bowling participants. On average, she gives four hours or more per day to the members and staff of the Mississauga YMCA.

Cely displays all the YMCA values in everything she does. She’s always respectful and caring to our members and staff. Cely thinks of everyone at the Mississauga Y as her family, and I know I speak for everyone there when I say we’re honoured, and that Cely is part of our family as well.

MARILYN KOEN

Marilyn Koen has been an active volunteer with Metro Central YMCA for over 24 years! She currently teaches two group fitness classes every week and has made many meaningful connections with our members throughout the years.

Marilyn is a wonderful role model for beginners and others who are re-introducing fitness into their lives, and is also able to provide a challenging class for some of our veterans. The members love her classes and she consistently has high participation. Marilyn is dedicated not only to fitness, but to having fun.

Her passion is giving back to the community and helping people reach their full potential.  We hope she shares her talents with us for many more years to come.

KATHERINE LABRADOR

Katherine Labrador has been volunteering at the Scarborough YMCA for 16 years. She instructs three step classes per week, and each class is packed to the brim. Katherine is fun, energetic and constantly shows leadership skills. Almost all of our new group fitness step instructors have apprenticed with Katherine. She takes each one under her wing and helps them develop into strong, energetic instructors. Needless to say, Katherine has a huge following of both fellow instructors and our members.

Katherine has shown amazing dedication and commitment to the YMCA over the years. Both she and her family have been involved in the YMCA and our communitY, and for the past three years, Katherine has headed the annual “Katherine’s Step-a-thon,” raising funds for our Strong Kids Campaign. Each year over 75 participants enjoy a morning of fun, exercise, laughs and prizes.

Lastly, Katherine consistently encourages all of her participants to live healthy lives and she builds relationships with everyone she meets. She has a great attitude and demonstrates the YMCA mission, vision and values in everything she does.

BEN MCCOLL

When Ben McColl was growing up, he didn’t have the opportunity to play in any organized sports for children with special needs. That’s why he takes such joy in volunteering for the Y Knot Abilities wheelchair basketball program at the Durham Family YMCA. Ben has not only helped the youngsters in the program by sharing his experiences of living with Cerebral Palsy, he’s also enriched his own life and developed his leadership and teaching skills.

Although Ben coaches the participants in the basic rules and principles of the game, his focus is on sportsmanship, cooperation, taking turns and — most importantly — having fun. He’s helped create a valuable outlet for children with special needs to enjoy themselves while feeling they’re being treated as equals. Ben is an excellent role model for the youngsters in the Y Knot program, and an indispensable asset to the YMCA.

JUDY YOUNG

Judy Young is not only a volunteer at the Mississauga YMCA, she is an inspiration to everyone around her.   Multiple Sclerosis is an illness that can leave people helpless at the best of times. But not Judy.

Judy has been teaching Yogafit at the YMCA for several years and doing it with boundless enthusiasm. She teaches with such caring and compassion that it has become more like a family than a class. In addition to her classes, Judy is also involved in with the Strong Kids Campaign through the Annual Disco Bowl Event.

Judy embodies the essence of the YMCA, combining spirit, mind and body in a way that is motivating and inspiring.

SUSAN WATERFIELD

Susan Waterfield has a personal, coherent philosophy of volunteerism that is the foundation of her work within the YMCA. Her belief in volunteerism has led to nine years on our Board of Directors, including three years as the Chair of the Board. When approached to be a part of the Strategic Task Force on Volunteerism, she accepted with pleasure. Susan saw this as an opportunity to share her beliefs about philanthropy and volunteerism and guide the initiative to strengthen the connections throughout the organization and more broadly with our communities. She has been an invaluable member of that Task Force.

In volunteering, Susan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience gained from her senior roles in the Ontario Public Service. Her last role was as Deputy Minister and Associate Secretary of Cabinet for Leadership and Restructuring of Government.

In addition to being on the YMCA of Greater Toronto Board, Susan has been an active board member and until recently the Chair of the Board for the Innovation Institute of Ontario. She is also the past President of the Georgian Parents’ Guild. Susan has served on numerous committees at the YMCA over the years, and is an extremely valued part of our Association.