Simcoe-Grey MP Kellie Leitch was in Collingwood and Alliston last weekend to hand out 30 Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medals. In total, 60,000 Canadians will receive the medals this year in commemoration of their outstanding community achievements and contributions. Similar medals were handed out during the Queen’s coronation year in 1953, her Silver Jubilee year in 1977 and her Golden Jubilee year in 2002.
Honorees of local note were Paul Ruppel of Creemore (above photo, standing third from right), Sandra Bednarek of New Lowell (below photo, seated second from left) and Scott Anderson of Lisle (below photo, standing second from right).
Paul Ruppel has been a champion for volunteering in the Creemore community for years. His volunteer endeavours range from playing a central role in the creation of the Mad & Noisy Gallery to serving on the Management Committee of the Probus Club of Blue Mountain. For more than ten years, Paul has been involved with the Station on the Green, playing a key role in its development and opening. Paul serves on the Station’s Board of Directors and is involved in all aspects of its activities, from running the Creemore Art Auction fundraiser to maintaining the skating rink. In 2009, Paul received a Community Builder Award from the Township of Clearview for his work with the Station.
Sandra Bednarek epitomizes the true spirit of community volunteerism. She is a retired school teacher and is deeply involved with youth and education initiatives. Sandra is a Community Representative on the council of New Lowell Public School, where she also helps children with reading and other core subjects. For over ten years, she has been a member of the Clearview Public Library Volunteer Team, running the weekly Sunnidale Branch Story Hour Program for preschool children. She received the 10 Year Ontario Volunteer Service Award from the Minister of Citizenship for her work with the Library.
A parishioner at New Lowell United Church, Sandra coordinates a week-long Bible School every August as well as a pancake breakfast every February. She is involved with many church committees and local charities, including the food bank and the Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian organization which runs the annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox program. In addition to her work with New Lowell United Church, Sandra volunteers with the 1st New Lowell Brownies and Girl Guides, offering her time to help with everything from fundraisers to food drives to parades.
In addition to being a tireless volunteer herself, Sandra encourages others to get involved in volunteer efforts. She writes for the Creemore Echo and the Stayner Sun, offering a regular guide to upcoming charity events and fundraisers and promoting community spirit.
Although only 25, Scott Anderson has been a committed volunteer in the Lisle community for many years. From 2000 to 2009, he was a Member and later the Secretary-Treasurer of the Lisle Recreation Committee. He is currently the Treasurer of the Lisle Community Hall, having served as Chairman from 2005 to 2010. As Chairman, he created a public outdoor ice rink at the Hall, which he continues to operate each winter.
Passionate about baseball, he manages and plays with the Lisle Astros Baseball Club and volunteers as Secretary of the North Dufferin Baseball League. Scott has dedicated much of his teens and early adulthood to volunteer work, and he currently serves his community as a municipal councillor of the Township of Adjala-Tosorontio.
Also honoured were Jan Trude, Lynette Morley, Major the Reverend Francis Beasley, Warrant Officer Camille-Marie Boucher, Gord Canning, George Christie, Stanley McNutt, Mary Eveline Lennox, Dr. Jack Crawford, Detective-Sergeant Charles Michael Dougall, Sharilyn Hawkins, John Orr Irwin, Warrant Officer Allan Mark Kendall, Frank and Sally Taylor, Brian Whittaker, John Milne, Walter Kowalski, Ann Bell, Orville Jenkins, John Kennedy, Rob Holliday, Corporal Hart Holmstrom, Second Lieutenant Daniel Copeland, Leonard Francis Gibson, Commander Terry Goddard and Honorary Colonel Kenneth Hedges.