June Callwood Award for volunteer Wendy Belcher by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 7 | Friday, April 22, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A retired schoolteacher and avid volunteer from Oakville is among the recipients of this year's June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism. Wendy Belcher was among 11 individuals and eight organizations from across Ontario to receive the award during a ceremony held in Toronto during National Volunteer Week, last week. The award, named for the late journalist and Order of Ontario recipient June Callwood, celebrates dedicated non-profit organizations and individuals, who have made lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities. Callwood was one of Canada's most wellknown social activists, responsible for founding or co-founding more than 50 Canadian social action organizations. Belcher was recognized for spearheading the creation of a Committee for Social Justice at Munn's United Church, which supports a local women's shelter, food bank, youth detention centre, and newcomer settlement organizations. The committee has been doing work in the Oakville community for approximately 20 years. Belcher is also a long-standing volunteer with the Oakville Historical Society, chair and co-founder of the Oakville chapter of Amnesty International, and chair of the Bronte Grandmothers for Africa, which supports African Minister and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn praised Belcher's work. "The generous contributions of individuals like Ms. Belcher play a big role in making Oakville a healthy and vibrant community," he said. "The inspiring dedication of volunteers, like Ms. Belcher, to give back to the community sets a wonderful example for all Ontarians." Belcher has called Oakville home for 38 years. She is retired after working as a secondary school teacher with the Peel District School Board. Belcher has two sons and five grandchildren many of whom reside in Oakville. When asked about her dedication to volunteering for the community, Belcher said it is important to try and make a difference, no matter how small. "You want to leave the world a little better than how you found it," she said. Flynn said recognizing Ontario's volunteers is part of the government's economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its No. 1 priority to grow the economy and create jobs. Since 2009, 150 individuals and groups have received the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism. Wendy Belcher grandmothers who are caring for grandchildren orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. "I was very, very honoured. I was honoured to even be nominated and considered for it," said Belcher after receiving the award. "June Callwood was someone I had a great deal of respect for. I have actually heard her speak and I'd read her articles for years and years and years, so this really is a great honour." Belcher was among 150-200 individuals nominated for the award this year. She said the Oakville Historical Society was the group that put her name forward. Following the ceremony, Ontario Labour you're invited! Braam's will be holding our first ever pampered Chef event at our Oakville showroom and live kitchen. We will have appetizers and drinks available along with demonstrations from the Chef. Join us for an evening of great food, great entertainment, and great company! The first 25 guests would receive a Free Pampered Chef and Braams complimentary gift WHERE: WHEN: 557 Chartwell Rd, Oakville at the Braam's showroom April 28th at 4pm please RSVP to oakville@braams.ca Please visit our brand new 4000 sq. ft. showroom