This year we give a nod to Creemore volunteer Donna Harper.
Harper finished a 21-year run as an executive member for Creemore Minor Hockey, serving long after her two sons had left the program.
Harper got involved in Creemore Skating Club when her sons were seven and eight filling a number of roles from 2001-2011.
Since 2006 she has been president of Creemore Minor Hockey. It should be noted she continued to serve as president for seven years after her sons aged out of minor hockey.
In 2019, Harper was inducted into the Clearview Sports Hall of Fame as Volunteer of the Year, recognizing her as a “tireless, hardworking volunteer and leader.”
She was nominated by the executive committee of Creemore Minor Hockey.
“Donna has assisted parents to get their children to and from hockey games/work and volunteer opportunities, on her own time using her own resources. Personally dropping off forms to people in their workplace, place of residence when they have no time,” wrote long-time treasurer and dedicated volunteer Susan Michalchuk in the nomination. “One particular event stands out for me over the years. One year, two families could not afford to play hockey in our organization. One family was going through a medical crisis with a family member and the other was a single mom dealing with a kidney transplant. Donna went out and secured sponsors for these two boys through her private cleaning business. Both boys that year played hockey. The only way I knew that was because I was treasurer of Creemore Minor Hockey.”
In its final year, before amalgamating with Stayner Minor Hockey to form Clearview Minor Hockey, Harper was presented the Reg Westbrooke Memorial plaque for her years of dedication.
She has also volunteered with Nottawasaga and Creemore Public School, Creemore Minor Soccer and various other community groups.
We also happen to know that she supports other individuals and organizations, some she is not even a member of. Harper does many things for many people in the community without making them widely known.
“Donna is the person that quietly goes from one person to the next touching their lives and making it a better place. Not expecting any glory. Those are the volunteers we need today and tomorrow,” said Michalchuk.