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C6 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 19, 2002 ~ H alto n L in e n O utlet Unsung heroes honored at Community Spirit Awards By Wilma Blokhuis BEAVER FOCUS EDITOR Voted Oakville's Best Linen Shop Halton Linen whereyour decorating dollar goesfurther 48I North Service Rd.W., OAKVILLE (between Dorval Drive and 4th Line) /Q A C \ QA"! I l l A y #wJ J TM I m LL I" MON. - FR I. 10A.M.- 5:30 P.M.· SATURDAY I0A.M.-6 P.M.* SUNDAY. 1 2A.M. - 5 P .M . To join our delivery team M il 905-845-9742 You could become a carrier of the week? Winning Carriers receive a large 3 topping pizza courtesy of: O n t a r i o '* # 1 P i z z a ,/ T h e Oa k v ill e B eaver W a rn in g : m ay lead to diabetes Oakville showcased its community spirit by honouring unsung heroes. Framed artwork, created by local artist Cora Brittan, was presented at the first annual Community Spirit Awards dinner held Thursday at Otello's Banquet Hall. Each award features a whimsical image with a ballooning skirt rising up into silver skies. The awards recognized high students and seniors, groups and business. They honoured the dedication to the community of Alvin Duncan and Howard Wills, both long time residents; the volunteer efforts of David Beamish and Betty Chauvin; the sports excellence of Neha Chawla; Bruce Taylor for his contribution to the arts; businessman John Breakey for community partner ship; and the Big Sisters of Oakville, organization of the year. A descendent of people who arrived here via the Underground Railroad and proud of his black heritage, Duncan was honoured for his contributed to local his tory and heritage. Duncan, who is in his late 80s, was smiling and almost speechless after accepting his award. The local historian has assisted author Lawrence Hill, also of Oakville, as history consultant for his book Any Known Blood. He was instru mental in providing material for the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate's ongoing Black History Exhibit, and assists in its black history education pro grams. Last year, Duncan, a member of the Oakville Historical Society, and the late Don Sutherland, who had been a long time volunteer, were involved in erecting a large historical plaque in front of Turner Chapel, Oakville's African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church on Lakeshore Road, recognizing the histor ical significance of the church. Built in 1891, the AME Church was founded by Duncan's ancestors who escaped slavery in the United States via the Underground Railroad and found a new life in Oakville. "Alvin never turns away an opportu nity to tell his story and as such, has been a guest speaker to many public events in Oakville and across the GTA to tell the story of the Underground Railroad," said his nominator Jill Charters. "Without his perseverance and commitment to his own history, Oakville would not be where it is today in recognizing this important part of Canadian history." For 20 years, Wills, 71, has worked quietly in the background, organizing a major portion of the Salvation Army's annual Red Shield Campaign. He calls 350 homes each year at the start of the campaign to recruit volunteer can vassers, distributes materials, and can vasses 12 routes himself each year. Last year he was responsible for collecting $6,000 - almost half of the money raised in 2001. "Howard goes the extra mile and keeps working meticulously throughout the year, updating his street lists when ever neighbours move in or have a change of circumstances," Wendy Perkins, Red Shield Campaign manager, who nominated him for the Volunteer of the Year award. "Howard puts his whole heart into reaching out to the community and investing his volunteered time and effort into making a difference in people's lives. He's an ambassador for the Salvation Army with his servant heart and faithfulness to the people they serve. Howard lives a life of service." In addition to his Salvation Army work, Wills volunteers at the Kids Breakfast Club at W. H. Morden School three mornings a week, serving breakfast to latch-key children. He recruits volun teers and cooks breakfast at 7:30 a.m. for 40 children. The program has been in existence for six years. "He walks to school, regardless of the weather, and never, never misses," said Perkins. "The Breakfast Club has thrived under Howard's leadership. Kids need a healthy breakfast in order to be success ful at school. "His quiet, unassuming attitude is a beautiful display of a servant's heart." Wills shares the volunteer recognition with the Big Sisters of Oakville, a volun teer-based community service meeting the emotional, physical and social needs of girls aged three to 18, and boys three to 10. The organization's 450 volunteers donated 20,000 hours to the community last year, making a difference in the lives of 160 boys and girls in town who are considered `at risk.' Of this number, 88 children are matched with adult volun teers. The agency has also created The Club for children in Grades 3 to 8 requir ing homework, and currently assists 80 children. The organization was nominat ed by its executive director Marilyn Markow. Musician Bruce Taylor was honoured for his contribution to the arts. Taylor has been the music director and, choir direc tor and bandleader for the Oakville Salvation Army Band since age 17. He took over the job over from his father 35 years ago. Taylor is retiring this year after 32 years of the sole music teacher at Montclair Senior Public School, and has served on the Halton school sub-committee promoting instrumental music. He has also served as student director of the Ontario Youth Band and instrumental instructor at Oakville's summer music camps. During his 32-year tenure at Montclair, he's led the school's concert band, choir and vocalists. With the Salvation Army Band, he's performed at 35 Remembrance Day cer emonies, and countless downtown Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, and early morning Easter celebrations at Appleby College. "As a music teacher, he has fostered a love for both vocal and instrumental music in the community," said his nomi nator Leslie Davis, co-worker, Montclair School. "Bruce Taylor, affectionately known as `Mr. T' or `The Maestro' by students, colleagues, and resident of Oakville has tireless promoted the arts in the commu nity as both music teacher and music director. "Under his vigilant guidance, and because of his exceptional, caring and nurturing teaching and his own demon strated love of the art of music, many former students of his have pursued the arts as performers and teachers in Oakville. He has the uncanny ability to extract musical talents from all who pass through the doors of his music room." Beamish, 15, was not only a volun teer at Child Find Ontario, but also a volunteer recruiter. The Oakville Trafalgar High School honour student got interested in Child Find because his sister was a volunteer. He volunteers at the agency's office twice a week, man aging its youth volunteer program and co-ordinated this year's Green Ribbon of Hope week. (See `Awards' on page C7) If channel surfing is your only form of exercise, see your doctor about diabetes today. The Ultimate Subscription Offer k % ; .· « f!y r yXmm*r* ,, * * " ' JmA j .. K nowwho to turn to F J I CANADIAN T Q I DIABETES ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DU DIABETE t one 1 f ^ f www.diabetes.ca HIRING! T i m r / e t t e t v i now I-800-BANTING (226-8464) !i& ; yJ s i pass to Hidden Lake Golf Course* or Canada^ Wonderland* Simply by subscribing to for 1 year and you could WIN $500.00 worth of Golf Clubs! 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