About half of Ontario’s not-for profit groups "are run almost entirely with volunteers," said regional advisor Jennifer Hay, on behalf of the Ministry of Heritage, Sports, Tourism and Culture Industries.
"Without them, many would have to close their doors, and those in need would go without those services. We consider the Volunteer Service Awards to be particularly special.”
Addressing award recipients in Thorold South Tuesday night, she added, “Your organizations have nominated you for these awards because your service has greatly improved the quality of life for those in your community.”
Nominated by Thorold’s Chief Librarian, Joanne DeQuadros, Tony Vandermaas received the Ontario Volunteer Service Award for his 20 years of service to the Thorold Public Library.
Following are excerpts of her submission letter to the Ontario Honours and Award Secretariat:
“For Tony Vandermaas, volunteering is a way of life.
Tony’s earliest experiences in volunteering came during his teenage years with his participation in Grimsby High School’s recreational programme for intellectually challenged children. This richly rewarding experience kindled a keen desire in Tony to do his part to make his community a better place to live. Thus began Tony’s long standing commitment to community involvement, a commitment which has continued throughout his adult life.
A very well-known figure in the city of Thorold, he was named Thorold’s Citizen of the Year in 2001, and holds the distinction of being Thorold’s first and current Official Town Crier. As a former member of Thorold City Council, Tony served on the Fire Services Review Committee, the Regional Joint Governance Committee, the Niagara Circle Route Committee, the Port Robinson Community Centre Board, the Canal Parkway Local Task Force, and the Public School Board Facilities Review Committee. In addition, he was an active member on the Lake Gibson Corridor Preservation Task Force and the Greater Niagara Circle Route Committee.
Tony has willingly served on various community fundraising committees, notably the Friends of the Thorold Public Library, and the Friends of the Richmond Street Forest (1995-1996).
Tony acted as the Public Relations Chairman (1992) for the Thorold Canada 125 Festival Committee, and is currently a member of the Mel Swart/Lake Gibson Conservation Area Fundraising Committee.
Wherever, and whenever a call for community help is raised, Tony Vandermaas is ready to answer. Whether it be as a Canadian Red Cross First Aid Instructor (1980-1984), a T-Ball convener, Coach, and Umpire (1987-1993), working for the Thorold B.I.A. (1995) or participating with Heritage Thorold LACAC (1999-2003), Tony can be counted on to be on board.
Tony has had many noteworthy accomplishments. One is the founding of Thorold’s Annual Santa Claus Parade. As a guest columnist in a local Thorold newspaper, Tony reported on the absence of a Santa Claus Parade in Thorold. In response to Tony’s observation, a reader challenged him to organize the event himself. Without hesitation, Tony accepted. In August of 1991, Tony brought together a committee of volunteers, received City Council’s support and set out to fulfill his task of organizing a parade. Three months later, on Saturday, November 30, 1991, Tony brought the community of Thorold together in a spirit of festivity, friendship, and unity as thousands lined the parade route to enjoy Thorold’s very first Santa Claus Parade.
A second noteworthy accomplishment is the celebration of the bicentennial of the War of 1812. Tony was found front and centre working tirelessly on the celebration of the anniversary of the Battle of Beaverdams. Tony’s countless hours of research and planning culminated in a grand celebration of the famous battle and Laura Secord walk. In addition, Vandermaas hosted the 2013 Provincial Town Crier’s Competition as part of the celebration at the site of the historic Decew House. Thousands converged at Decew in honour of this occasion.
At the present time, Tony is a member of the Thorold Public Library Board, where he holds the position of Chairman. He has served on the Board for more than 20 years, and works diligently to provide the citizens of Thorold with the best library service possible. In addition, Tony is an active member of the Lake Gibson Corridor Preservation Task Force, Parks Trails and Recreation Committee and the Thorold Tourism Advisory Committee. Tony is truly a committed and dedicated volunteer striving to improve services for residents of Thorold.”
Other Thorold residents who received awards for their volunteerism include Nancy Yungblut, for five years of service with Pelham Cares; Daniel Michaud, for 10 years with the Niagara OPP Auxiliary; and Bruce Thomson, for 20 years with the St. Catharines Museum.
For more information, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/honours-and-awards-volunteering
