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Dale Gauley and Sean Magee
Dale Gauley and Sean Magee were the driving force behind the Guelph Community Volunteer Patrol, a group that supported the Guelph Police by assisting in missing persons searches, picking up stolen bicycles, attending special events, and helping with the Lock It or Lose It and Safe Semester campaigns.The Volunteer Patrol was founded in 1996 by a group of concerned citizens who wanted to make the city safer. This year, it made the difficult decision to disband because of the lack of a volunteer base.
The Guelph Police Services Board noted, “Dale and Sean are selfless individuals who were very proud to be affiliated with our police service and serving the citizens of Guelph. They took the role of being another set of eyes and ears for the community and police service very seriously and their time and commitment was very much appreciated.”
Volunteers committed to doing at least one four-hour patrol every month. In 2000, patrollers provided vital support to police during a tornado that hit the city, and during a major chemical fire, when they knocked on doors and told people to stay inside. Most of the time their work didn’t make headlines, but it made a significant difference.
The Police Board said, “Given the nature of [Dale and Sean’s] service and the humility of these individuals, their good work was rarely noticed by the public. The Guelph Police Services Board wishes to offer its profound and sincere thanks to these individuals.”
Stephanie Riley
Stephanie Riley is the volunteer Chair of Hope and the City, an annual fundraiser for women’s cancers that just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Hope and the City has raised nearly $200,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society and has become a must-attend event that sells out every year. It is billed as a “girls’ night out” where women can be pampered, shop at vendor tables, and feel like a star while raising money for a very important cause.
A local real estate agent, Stephanie is also a past Co-Chair and volunteer for the Royal LePage Royal City’s annual National Garage Sale for shelter. 100 per cent of the proceeds from this massive garage sale are donated to Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis. Last summer, Stephanie volunteered on the organizing committee for Royal LePage’s inaugural Summer Soiree. This garden party with dancing, music, and an auction, raised more than $19,000 for Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis.
Stephanie raises funds for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Guelph through their Bowl for Kids’ Sake event, and the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, including their Adopt-a-Family program. She is a regular blood donor, and a supporter of Ronald McDonald House.
Her nominators remarked, “Stephanie works tirelessly to give back to the city of Guelph and its residents…she can always be counted on to help and support a number of causes throughout the year.” Guelph is fortunate that Stephanie volunteers her legendary event-organizing skills to benefit so many local organizations.
Jagger Sheridan
Jagger Sheridan is a 14 year old goalie who is a leader both on and off the ice.
Last year, he spearheaded a campaign for his team to raise funds to sponsor life-changing surgery for a young Ugandan boy with clubbed feet. As his nominator noted, the Ugandan boy “became our 18th man on the team,” and the team would fist-bump the boy’s picture on their way onto the ice. The team raised enough to fund the surgery and provide food, clothing, water, and school supplies.
At the tender age of 9, Jagger was the top fundraiser in Ontario in a campaign that supported breast cancer research. This year, he led fundraising for women’s and paediatric cancer research through a campaign that involves goaltenders collecting donations for each time they stop the puck. Jagger made 100 saves in 4 games and raised the 8th highest total in Canada.
One year, instead of birthday gifts, he collected hockey equipment for the Guelph Giants. He has also organized bake sales, food drives, leaf raking, and bottle drives in his community – all while playing guitar in a band, training two or three times a week, helping to train his two younger brothers as goalies, serving as a peer coach to Special Olympics athletes, and maintaining an A average at school.
His coach says, “Jagger is a quiet leader who leads by example and his maturity level is beyond his years. He is a dedicated young man who has impressed and inspired me with his work ethic, dedication and commitment on and off the ice.”
Adrian Harding
Adrian Harding has served on the Hillside Festival board of directors for 18 years, is a co-founder of the Diyode maker workshop, a volunteer for Trees for Tots, a member of the City’s Downtown Advisory Committee, and a float-maker for the Santa Claus parade.Adrian has made enormous contributions to the Hillside Festival in both big-picture planning and on-the-ground operations. As the volunteer IT architect for the festival, he built a mesh network that enables 7,000 people to get reception out on Guelph Lake and powers the debit payment terminals. He also devised many of Hillside’s green initiatives, including pedal-powered batteries and solar cell-charging stations. He has served as the Chair of the Festival’s sustainability committee, the Treasurer, and on the human resources, finance, volunteer, vending, and artistic committees.
He is co-founder and past treasurer of Diyode, a not-for-profit workshop for DIY enthusiasts, inventors, and creative problem-solvers that also gives youth hands-on training in using tools and mechanical equipment. As a member of the Downtown Advisory Committee, Adrian is lauded as a consensus builder and a calm and reasoned voice no matter how contentious the issue at hand might be.
Adrian’s nominators say, “He pours his heart into Guelph, and in his quiet, never-complaining way, he helps connect ordinary people and helps them make extraordinary things. Adrian’s commitment to the Guelph community, resourcefulness and unique approach all make Guelph a friendlier, more vibrant place. He is one of the most inspiring volunteers we have ever met.”
John Valeriote
John Valeriote was a fixture of Guelph’s legal community for more than 50 years until his retirement this year, and has contributed countless volunteer hours for more than a dozen community organizations.He has been a Rotarian for 44 years, and a decades-long member of the boards of the United Way and the Homewood. He is a legendary fundraiser whose efforts were key to the creation of the family statue in St. George’s Square, the refurbishment of the carousel at Riverside Park, the new Civic Museum, and more. He was instrumental in establishing the Guelph Community Foundation and is a highly prized volunteer, fundraiser, and committee member at Hospice Wellington, the Basilica of Our Lady, and the Art Gallery of Guelph.
John’s nomination included letters of support from many different community leaders and fellow volunteers from across Guelph. In all of them, people noted not only his extensive volunteer contributions, but his integrity, generosity, humour, and friendship to so many in our community. As one supporter noted, “As we know, time is the most valuable asset we have, yet John selflessly donated so much of his time to benefit others.”
Through his remarkable volunteer contributions, John has left an incredible positive mark on many of Guelph’s most cherished organizations and cultural icons. He is a mentor and role model to many, and an inspiration to us all.
For more information
Kate Sullivan
Mayor’s Office
519-822-1260 extension 2558
[email protected]