QUARTER CENTURY CLUB

Dawna McArthur

For over 36 years Dawna McArthur has made the gift, not only of time, but of her life – serving as a Big Sister in the community of Welland. The Big Sisters organization has been making a difference in the lives of girls and young women for over 80 years through their dedicated mentoring program and the commitment that every child who wants a mentor will have one. That is a tall order and it is people like Dawna who make that vision a reality.

The Big Sisters Organization recruits, screens, matches and monitors relationships between volunteers and girls aged 6 to 18 years. In addition to the one-on-one programs the organization also offers a number of group activities. This kind of mentoring takes a level of dedication and commitment that few of us can imagine, for as Dawna has been quoted to say this is not only her commitment but one the entire family shares, as you include your Little Sister in so much of your own life. In Dawna’s case this has not only included her husband, who has been tremendously supportive, but also her own children – including her daughter who has gone on to be a Big Sister herself.

Dawna has been in a total of nine matches over the years and has established deep and enduring relationships with the young girls that she has mentored. Naturally, each child is different and has different needs, but the common thing they seek in Dawna’s view is attention and a smile. In one of her matches Dawna formed such a meaningful relationship with her Little Sister that they continued to be in touch on a daily basis after she turned 18 and established an ongoing friendship that culminated in Dawna being the “mother of the bride” at the young woman’s wedding. Now with a family of her own, Dawna continues to be involved in their lives and describes their relationship as more like sisters than friends. What a tremendous gift and testimony to the personal enrichment that comes from volunteering.

In addition to her work as a mentor Dawna has also served on the Board of Directors and various committees of the Big Sisters organization. She has assisted in the fundraising activities, and has often made personal gifts to families in need.

Dawna has also devoted countless hours to organizing and participating in the agency group activities, primarily designed for children who are awaiting a match, not withstanding her already extraordinary commitment to the many girls she has been matched with.

There is no question that Dawna has provided devoted caring leadership not only to the girls she has mentored but has enhanced her community through the generous gift of her time. Her lifelong commitment is the model expression of volunteerism.

Marlene Buttery

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a program of personal challenge that is described in its literature as offering …”to young people a balanced, non-competitive program of voluntary activities which encourages personal growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility to themselves and service to their community.” Marlene Buttery certainly took that mission to heart. A recipient of the Gold Award herself, she has subsequently been honoured for her service to the program over the past many years.

That was only the beginning of a lifetime of dedicated service to her community.

Since the late 1980’s Marlene has committed countless hours to guiding young people through the personal challenges associated with the achievement of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. In spite of her own physical challenges Marlene inspired the young people she worked with, teaching them team building, leadership, responsibility and coordinated a host of physically demanding outdoor activities. Her passionate mentorship of so many young people has ensured that there are dedicated community members following in the fine tradition of voluntary service.

Her commitment to young people has been tangible in the many years that Marlene has devoted herself to the needs of the students, parents and staff at Lord Elgin Public School, Bowmanville Senior Public School, Harold Longworth Public School and Bowmanville High School. Not only did she serve on the Parent Council with all the associated fundraising, fun fairs, committee and special project tasks, she also worked tirelessly with students in math, reading, music – once again offering her inspired leadership.

The outstanding success of the initiative to refurbish the local high school auditorium is solely credited to Marlene’s tenacity, as she worked tirelessly to fundraise and to ensure that the funders met their commitment to the community.

Somewhere Marlene also finds the time to dedicate to the activities of her church, taking on a leadership role in the choir, the Scouting and Guiding programs as well as serving in Executive positions for outreach, the Couples Club and the United Church Women. In fact, it is clear that all you need to do is ask and Marlene will gladly step in to lend a hand.

In addition Marlene also serves as the volunteer librarian for the Durham Girls’ Choir, makes quilts for the children at Sick Kid’s and visits seniors in her community.

If ever there were a portrait of a person who makes a difference in this world Marlene Buttery would surely be the model.

John McLaughlin

John’s volunteer efforts emerged from his involvement with the Fort Frances Junior Chamber of Commerce in the 1960’s. He continued to serve the community during his career at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. While still working, John was a huge supporter of the East York Mayor’s Annual Christmas Dinner, serving meals and driving participants to and from the event. He was also a member of The Kiwanis Club of East York for several years in the 1980’s and served as a director for two years.

Following retirement in 1996, John commenced his intense involvement with the Toronto East General Hospital. For twelve years, John has served as a Patient Greeter, welcoming anxious and confused patients to one of Toronto’s busiest Emergency Departments. John dedicates every Friday and Saturday night to this assignment. Through this activity, John served on the Executive of the hospital’s Volunteer Services for three years and assumed the role of President in 1999. In this role he also served on the hospital’s Board of Governors and the Foundation Board bringing the volunteer perspective to the table.

John was also a determined volunteer with the TEGH Foundation, where he contributed numerous hours at summer festivals like the Taste of the Danforth and the Beaches International Jazz Festival. For twelve years, John has spent Christmas day delivering gifts and visiting patients who have been too ill to make it home for the holidays. One of John McLaughlin’s proudest accomplishments is the establishment of the Volunteer Services Scholarship awards program at East General. Today this program has evolved to include a special award for ESL volunteers who have come from other countries around the world to gain practical experience at the hospital in order to qualify for work in Canada.

During the SARS crisis, when volunteer activities at local hospitals were curtailed, John searched for new ways to serve his community. He perceived a need for volunteers at True Davidson Meals-on- Wheels in East York. He continues to deliver meals to this day. He also was a Board Member for the organization for two years.

John also serves the Scarborough Hospital General Campus as a volunteer in the Emergency Department since the fall of 2003 covering the Sunday night shift.

It is indicative of John’s incredible determination to be of service that following a knee replacement in November 2000, he returned to his shift at the Patient Greeter desk within one week, happily providing comfort to others, while he himself was operating with the assistance of two canes!

John McLaughlin is a leader who inspires the volunteers around him to do more. A person who makes his community a kinder place.

Pat Ileen Howell

Known to many as Pat, Ileen Howell made her career in the public service helping those in need and she has continued this tradition of service into her community through her tireless volunteer efforts. Pat has spent many years in a variety of Executive Board positions with the Markham African Caribbean Association (MACA).

Pat’s career as a social worker and therapist combined with determination and perseverance gave her skills and abilities that have allowed her to make meaningful improvements in the life of the Region of York, in the City of Markham and in her Milliken neighbourhood.

Pat has served her community as a long term volunteer with the Markham African Canadian Association, culminating with her service as President from 1999-2003. Pat Howell was instrumental in establishing an array of programming that has had enduring rewards for Markham. These include crime prevention programs, Black History initiatives, Kwanzaa and Millenium celebrations, spelling bees, parent workshops and summer literacy programs.

Pat’s hard work resulted in the establishment of a Liaison Committee that brings Markham youth of all cultures together with the York Regional Police to promote shared understanding. All Markham student administration is involved in this highly successful endeavor that is now replicated in all York Region police districts.

When the New Recruit Insight Program was introduced to the York Region Police in 2003, Pat personally stepped up and taught Ontario Police College graduates about the black community.

Pat is a member of the York Regional Police Community Advisory Committee and she personifies the mandate of the organization: “promoting and fostering harmony, dialogue and understanding between all members of the York Regional Police and the community it serves”. Her term was acknowledged with accolades and awards including the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal.

Pat’s urge to serve also manifested itself in her role as Co-chair of the Annual Milliken Children’s Festival, as a Director of Markham Stouffville Hospital and as one of the founders of Ebony Village Community Social Services. Pat plays a key role in the fundraising for the Randall Dooley Scholarship which is available to social service and law enforcement students at York University. Pat also spends countless hours providing front-line services to the community: driving seniors to appointments, parents to school council meetings and counseling at-risk students.

Pat Howell’s investment of her time, her ability and her effort is clearly making a difference in the lives of Ontarians.