QUARTER CENTURY CLUB

Thomas Gibson

Thomas Gibson has long made a significant contribution to those who need a helping hand. He gives of himself tirelessly and contributes any way he can.

His volunteering began at the age of 20 with the Boy Scouts of Canada, with whom he continued to volunteer for 24 years, and has been the recipient of volunteer awards on their behalf.

Tom's volunteer contributions have been varied; he has made a gift of his time to various schools and colleges, as well as numerous tourism organizations and local political party associations.

In 1990 Tom retired after a distinguished career with the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation. He has used his extensive knowledge of the tourism industry and brilliant communication skills to support tourism bodies around the world. He has made a commitment to the training of tourism professionals, who consider his guidance to be invaluable to their careers.

Tom's most substantial volunteer contribution has been to the ALS Society of Ontario. The ALS Society of Ontario provides people affected by ALS with what they require to live with dignity and choice. They facilitate access to the best possible support, care and treatment for those with ALS as well as engaging in advocacy, raising awareness and education.

Tom was able to take his personal loss and experience with ALS and devote himself to fighting the disease and supporting its sufferers. He has made a commitment to volunteer work his entire life and the ALS Society count themselves fortunate to be a recipient of his energies.

Tom's commitment to ALS involves advocacy for research, fundraising and donations and a significant contribution to ALS patients. Tom visits patients and advocates on their behalf for personal support and care equipment. He also develops innovate tools which allow patients to stay in their homes and live their lives, as Tom says himself "with dignity, peace of mind and…comfort".

He supports the fight against ALS, not only at the individual level, working with sufferers of the disease but at the provincial level, participating in awareness days at Queen's Park and with government partner agencies to provide funding and support to patients and their families. Tom's family walk team has raised approximately $50,000 over the last few years for research and support services.

He also advocated in 2003 to fundraise for a piece of equipment for the Sunnybrook Neuromuscular clinic and was successful in securing the $145,000 needed to fund the equipment that forms the basis of clinical research in the disease.

He has made a significant contribution to the ALS Society of Ontario, of both time and expertise, supporting and advocating for patients and their families. His ability to carry out his volunteer work with a smile and heartfelt support helps to lighten the load for the families with whom he volunteers.

John (Jack) Underwood

As a professional engineer and post-secondary educator, Jack Underwood had a long career sharing his abilities with a generation of young people in the field of agricultural technology. Coincidentally, Jack was making virtually endless volunteer contributions to his home communities.

Early on in his volunteer efforts during the early 1960's, Jack designed a series of lodge buildings for the Masonic Order in Harriston and Ridgetown. He subsequently designed a lodge building in Exeter that was dedicated in 1980.

In 1968, Jack and Flo Underwood moved to the community of Huron Park. Having been previously involved with the Guelph Figure Skating Club, the Underwoods proceeded to organize a successful club at Huron Park. In 1971, Jack and Flo again moved, this time to Exeter, where Jack was the President of the skating club from 1971 to 1974 and a board member until 1982. Jack managed a wide variety of responsibilities: executive, planner, costumer, carnival organizer and liaison with skating instructors.

At the same time, for nine years he assisted in coaching and trained minor hockey teams culminating in the Exeter having provincial Bantam finalists in 1979 and Midget champions in 1980. The experience of working and interacting with the players - improving their skills - was Jack's reward.

Jack was Chairman and a member of the Town of Exeter Recreation and Parks Committee for many years. During this time the Town built its new South Huron Recreation Centre complex. The complex includes an arena and community hall. He also assisted in the design of an agricultural building for the Exeter Fair Board, in the same area. In 1978, in recognizing Jack's extraordinary contribution, the Mayor of Exeter wrote, "We appreciate the fact that without your energy and enthusiasm, we wouldn't have the building today."

For a decade, Jack has served as President and volunteer with the Ridgetown & Area Adult Activity Centre. The centre serves seniors and combats loneliness, maintains health and well being, identifies needs and provides facilities and leadership for leisure enjoyment. It has been simply said: "Without Jack Underwood's participation, the centre would not be able to serve the community of Ridgetown and its surrounding area."

Jack's involvement is no less critical to the success of the Village Retirement Residence of Ridgetown. While recognized as President of the Family Council, Jack's talents as a handy man, camp counsellor, singer, carpenter, bartender and porter are widely utilized.

Jack continues to share his talents with Erie Street United Church in Ridgetown that recently moved to a new building. Jack had a leadership role in the design and construction of an extension to the stage to accommodate the church choir. As a member of the choir he wanted to get it right!

Each year since 1968, Jack has volunteered to teach basic square dancing. He also provided guidance to an Arc Industries program.

Jack is a builder, manager, organizer, coach and mentor - but as importantly, Jack Underwood is the smiling, constant presence in the lives of the people who his volunteerism serves. One of the organizations he continues to participate with said "Jack is truly a dream come true."

Susan Waterfield

After a long and highly esteemed career, in which she conquered many milestones both personally and on behalf of women in public service, spanning the scope of Ontario government endeavour, from an entry level clerical position eventually culminating at the pinnacle of executive responsibility, Susan Waterfield elected to pursue a long and highly esteemed career in the volunteer sector.

On retiring from the OPS as Associate Secretary of Cabinet and President of the Centre for Leadership and Deputy Minister Government Restructuring and notwithstanding her private sector business, Susan quickly immersed herself in the affairs of a number of volunteer initiatives.

A consummate human resources professional, characterized by integrity and compassion, Susan Waterfield initially brought her skills to the non-profit sector through involvement with the Macaulay Child Development Centre and the University Health Network. She brought leadership to the Parent Guild of Royal St. George's College for seven years and served as the President for one year. She also volunteered her services to Queen's University.

In 2000, Susan assumed the Chair of the Innovation Institute of Ontario and continues to serve as a Director. In this role she has overseen a budget of hundreds of millions of dollars that has enabled significant investment in science and innovation in Ontario. Beyond advocating for these programs Susan brings much rigour to their effective and efficient administration. Her strategic sense, the Board and Staff of the Institute. Under Susan's leadership, the Innovation Institute focused its formidable talents to the creation of the MaRS Centre as a vehicle to ensure that scientific invention could find its way to the marketplace. More recently, the Institute convinced the Ontario government to create the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, which is the recipient of $83 million each year in the fight to find a cure for cancer.

Since 1997, Susan has been sharing her experience in governance, leadership, strategic planning and policy management with the YMCA of Greater Toronto, eventually serving as Chair for three years. Susan involved herself in virtually every aspect of the organization from human resource management to fundraising and philanthropy to volunteer development. In 2005 she then joined the National Board of YMCA allowing skills developed in her international consultancy business to be demonstrated throughout Canada and in relation to international projects. Her complete dedication to YMCA Canada has resulted in Susan's election as Vice-Chair of its Board.

"Selfless, passionate, invaluable, energetic, committed." The adjectives used to describe Susan Waterfield's many contributions to her community are indicative of her worthiness for the Community Service Award of the OPS Quarter Century Club.

James Long

For the last 24 years Jim Long has made a tireless commitment to helping his community. Through his efforts he has contributed directly to improving the welfare of the community and of those less fortunate.

Starting in 1984 and the following 15 years, Jim would devote his time for the entire month of April to the Parkinson's Society Canada, working full time through the week and part time on weekends. During the Society's tulip campaign Jim is a dedicated salesman and volunteer; getting up as early as 5am to deliver tulips and sales teams to their respective locations. He attends organizing meetings and seeks sponsorship for the campaign.

His most prominent role is as captain for the Union Station/GO Station tulip sale venue in Toronto. He has recruited several teams of more than twenty volunteers needed to operate the satellite sales areas around the station. The Union Station sales have risen every year, in 2008 Jim's team raised $10,018 in a single day. At the end of the day he even takes the responsibility of selling the remaining tulips himself. The success of the campaign would not be the same without Jim. He also volunteers for the Cut-a-thon and Walk-a-thon, serving as official photographer.

As described in their literature, the Parkinson Society Canada is the national voice for people living with Parkinson's disease in Canada. It is also the leader in the Parkinson's disease research, education, and advocacy. They work for the over 100,000 people in Canada living with Parkinson's by funding promising scientific research and supporting people with Parkinson's, their families and caregivers through educational programs and support services.

His family's history with the illness is much of what gives him his drive and commitment to the organization, making him "a tireless advocate for the cause".

Jim also makes a significant gift of his time to Habitat for Humanity. Drawing on his experience as a developer with his own private sector business and with the Ministry of Housing, he has been a dedicated volunteer for more than 10 years. He has volunteered on nine build sites constructing 92 homes that provide simple, decent affordable housing for men, women and children in the city of Toronto.

It is the generosity of people like Jim, who give their time and energy that makes Habitat for Humanity a dynamic organization and allows them to continue to provide families in need with affordable housing.

Always friendly and courteous, rising to challenges with patience and grace, Jim is there with a helping hand for causes and fellow volunteers. He is an individual who truly believes in giving back.