United Way Perth-Huron has given out awards to some key volunteers.
Following the National Volunteer Week, which was this past week, United Way have given out Volunteer Spirit Awards to 13 local volunteers in Perth and Huron. In the official release, the United Way states that volunteers "power United Way’s 100% local work across Perth-Huron. From answering phones and addressing envelopes to fundraising in the community and workplaces, United Way’s 600+ volunteers help multiply the organization’s impact." United Way says that spirit of volunteerism perfectly fits into this year's theme of National Volunteer Week, which was "The Value of One. The Power of Many"
The full list of United Way Volunteer Spirit Award recipients in Perth and Huron are as follows:
**Images and volunteer profiles courtesy of United Way Perth-Huron**
Mike Ash
Mike is kind, steady and incredibly knowledgeable. With his strong, service-oriented leadership as Chair, and prior to that as a Board member, United Way Perth-Huron has grown in both its effectiveness and its scope. Mike gives a tremendous amount of time to United Way, taking part in many more committee and staff meetings than required in order to better understand and lead us all. Mike is a true friend to all of us!
Shelley Blackmore
Shelley has demonstrated her leadership skills on the North Perth Community Committee since being elected as Chairperson in 2018. Prior to that, Shelley spent a year as the United Way staff member in North Perth after her retirement as a principal with the Avon Maitland District School Board. Shelley’s connections in the community made her an excellent representative of United Way and she worked alongside then-North Perth chair Norma MacDonald, raising both awareness and funds! During her time as chair, Shelley has led the committee in hosting Paint the Town Red, an Eagles tribute concert, United Way Night at the Cyclones and Coldest Night of the Year. She is also a passionate believer in the North Perth Public Library–North Perth Community Hub project and actively participates in meetings to move that project forward. We thank Shelley for her continued energy, dedication and leadership in North Perth and look forward to her staying involved for many years to come!
Beth Blowes
Beth is compassionate, caring and insightful! In her role as Chair of our allocations committee, Beth has led transformative policy renewal and strategic investments that continue to help the most vulnerable people in our community. Beth is the first to raise her hand when a new task is offered—she is working for us almost all the time, even from her cottage! We are so grateful for her friendship!
Sean Jolliffe
Sean joined the Social Research and Planning Council in January 2015 and is currently co-chair. Shaun brings passion while ensuring the consistency and stability required to continue to lead and implement the strategic priorities of United Way's Social Research & Planning Council. He participates actively on research topics and community engagement. Shaun is the Executive Director of the Huron-Perth Children’s Aid Society and has dedicated his life and career to children in need of protection and the field of Child Welfare for over 30 years including 21 years in a senior leadership role. Shaun is a true leader and SRPC is lucky to have him as part of the team!
Christine Bland Kapp
Christine has served United Way in many ways, over many years as a Board member, interim executive director, allocations committee member, food security committee rep, Local Community Food Centre steering committee member, governance committee member, and most recently as a special consultant to one of our supported partners. In every role she has brought her compassionate, articulate and action-oriented way. Christine’s efforts have inspired solutions for some of the most important challenges our organization has engaged with. Thank you for your contributions to United Way, Christine!
June Leitch
June has been saying “sign me up” for years at United Way and we’re so grateful for her community spirit! This year June and her workplace Home and Company Real Estate Corp. Brokerage, Stratford hosted the toque pick-up for Shelterlink + United Way’s Coldest Night of the Year. June and Home & Company have been a cornerstone in the success of Coldest Night for four years. Between 2017 and 2019, June helped to recruit and celebrate participants in our Paint the Town Red event and she is also an enthusiastic Women United member, demonstrating her care and thoughtfulness in building a stronger local community. Thanks for being such an outstanding contributor to our mission, June!
Andrea Loohuizen
Andrea has been an incredible supporter of United Way Perth-Huron and her community. Andrea served as a key organizer of the Coldest Night of the Year event in Exeter the past two years and is a member of the Exeter and Area Community Committee. As Volunteer Coordinator at the Exeter Pentecostal Church’s Noah’s Ark and Community Table, Andrea sees the needs in Exeter and South Huron every day, providing valuable local insight. Andrea also helped start the Community Table program; working with a dedicated team of volunteers to provide free meals to vulnerable local people, switching to food hampers during the pandemic. Thank you for the positive impact you have on your community and United Way, Andrea!
Jerry McDonnell
Jerry has demonstrated his leadership as Chair of the Goderich and Area Community Committee, helping ensure the committee’s continued momentum over the last few years. Previously, Jerry served as Board Chair for Huron United Way and participated in the successful merger of United Way Perth-Huron, following which he stayed on as a Board member. In each of his roles, Jerry brought important insights to the work of boards and committees, shared his expertise and guiding principles, donated generously and participated at the grassroots level — including walking in Coldest Night of the Year for Goderich and area for the last two years. We thank Jerry for his time, energy, dedication and personal belief in the importance of helping his community through United Way.
John McGarry
John is a fantastic leader! He is insightful, caring and no nonsense all at the same time. Always ready to jump in first, John is a person who gets the job done, whether in a hands-on capacity or at the committee level. As the first Chair of the St. Marys Community Committee, John set a fantastic standard for others to follow. Thank you for your leadership and support of United Way, John!
Jane Prokopick
Jane gives so much to United Way. Many people know Jane from her time filling in on the reception desk at the United Centre in Stratford, helping cover lunches and sick days, but people might not know everything else she does. Whether it’s archiving news stories, tracking donor lists, organizing files or hand-addressing over a thousand letters to donors every year, Jane constantly shows an incredible level of dedication and attention to detail in her work for us. Thank you for everything you do, Jane. We are proud to call you a true friend of United Way!
Martin & Kathryn Ritsma
Martin & Kathryn co-chaired the last three annual campaigns and helped us break our fundraising goal each and every year! They embody United Way’s mission of improving lives and mobilizing collective action. Time and time again they went beyond the call of duty to stand up for those who don’t have a voice and asked people to join the United Way movement. The Agriculture sector has tripled its giving since Martin’s first year as co-chair and Kathy helped successfully launch Women United and hosted three events to spread the United Way message. Thank you so much for the compassion, the energy and the commitment you’ve shared with us!
Pam Zabel
Pam is an incredibly dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer! She has championed the United Way in her community in many ways—including as a member of the St. Marys Community Committee and as part of the team that helped coordinate this year’s inaugural Coldest Night of the Year walk in St. Marys—and at every meeting, Pam contributes great ideas. Thank you for all your hard work and support of United Way in the St. Marys community, Pam!
