Latest news with #OptimistClub
CBC
30-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Volunteer shortage puts future of longtime Ilderton club in jeopardy
Social Sharing After 35 years of serving the community, the Optimist Club of Ilderton says it may have to wind down operations for good next year if it can't recruit more adult volunteers to help staff its local events. The club broke the news to the community on Sunday in a social media post, saying that membership had declined significantly in recent years, in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic. At their most recent meeting, club officials decided to continue for another year, but would "have no choice but to close the club," if it couldn't grow its membership in that time, the post said. Julie Lewis, the club's president, said the decision was not an easy one to make, and the hope is that the appeal spurs more people to come forward who maybe wouldn't have otherwise. "It came down to the fact that some folks are needing to move away, (and) some are looking to get into their retirement and travel more, so they don't have the ability to be around and support the volunteer events," Lewis told CBC London on Tuesday. "We have such a wonderful community that we want to support the events that we've typically done, we just wouldn't be able to do with, you know, five adults or less." Those events include a free annual Easter egg hunt, bike safety rodeo, contests, and a family skate party on New Year's, among others, Lewis says. The club used to organize an annual "Santa's Breakfast" at Christmastime, and a three-on-three hockey tournament in the summer, but shrinking membership put an end to both. "Whenever we do host large events, the high school kids ... we've always had an abundance of those youth volunteers, but that limits us from being able to run more fundraising events where we have limitations on the age of volunteers that can help out," she said. Founded in 1991, the club also fundraises for local youth athletic leagues, and helped develop Ilderton's Deerhaven Optimist Park, which features a playground, basketball, pickleball and tennis courts, and two soccer fields. It's also responsible for lining the community's streets with Canadian flags for Canada Day, a tradition which took on added import this year against the backdrop of U.S. annexation and tariff threats. Volunteer shortage a nationwide problem Like the Optimist Club of Ilderton, a critical shortage of volunteers is putting the futures of countless community organizations across Canada into doubt, said Megan Conway, president and CEO of Volunteer Canada. Between 2018 and 2023, the percentage of Canadians volunteering for charitable or non-profit organizations plummeted from 41 per cent to 32 per cent, according to Statistics Canada data published last month. Conway says the COVID-19 pandemic helped accelerate the downward shift in volunteering rates, something seen most notably among women and those aged 25 to 34, the StatsCan data shows. Older adults who have volunteered long-term in retirement aren't being replaced as they age out. "There has not been the level of renewal in younger people to participate in the same kinds of ways, or they're facing barriers to participation because of economic challenges or the cost of living, or their own challenges around child care," she said. Conway says Volunteer Canada is creating a national volunteer action strategy to modernize volunteering and make it easier for people to participate. (One example she says is simplifying the screening process when it comes to criminal record checks.) For Lewis, she worries the club's closure would bring a loss of community camaraderie and connection at a time when more people are choosing to stay cooped up at home. For those who are interested in signing up, she says they can reach out via email. "We don't need everybody who's thinking about volunteering to be an active part of the board and meet once a month … Sometimes membership is simply being on our roster of folks we can contact to say, 'Hey, we're running this event. Do you want to help run it?'"
Hamilton Spectator
25-07-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Fergus family raising funds, and awareness, about Rett Syndrome
FERGUS – A Fergus family has turned to the community for help in an attempt to raise money and awareness about their daughter's disability. Thirteen-year-old Scarlett DeKorte lives with epilepsy, autism, and Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder similar to ALS that impacts the brain's development and causes the gradual loss of motor and language skills. 'She's essentially a typical 13-year-old girl, but she's trapped in this body that doesn't do what she wants it to do,' said her mom and full-time caregiver, Melody, who Scarlett communicates with using an iPad equipped with eye-gazing technology. 'It's very frustrating, because people can easily make assumptions about her ... but she understands everything that's going on around her.' Diagnosed with Rett Syndrome in 2015, Scarlett walked until she was around seven and a half, when her seizures worsened and she was gradually forced to use a stand or wheelchair. While the family qualifies for in-home nursing support, they were informed in December that they would need to install a lift or ceiling track in their house because, at approximately 70 lbs, Scarlett is now officially too heavy for the nurse to help lift her. An approximately $14,000 investment, the family didn't qualify for any funding to help afford the track. Melody had to stop working several years ago to become Scarlett's full-time caregiver when the seizures worsened. While the family does qualify for things like the disability tax credit, Melody said they're still often left with extra costs from the equipment needed without additional support and are forced to make cuts to give Scarlett the level of care she requires. Reaching out to groups like the Sarah Topsy Foundation for help, Melody was eventually connected with the Centre Wellington Optimist Club president, Pierrette Grondin, who offered to host a fundraising barbecue at the Fergus Medieval Faire this Saturday to help. Melody said the support has left the family feeling like they're 'front row to the most difficult and the most beautiful story.' 'It (the help) makes a world of difference; it makes you feel seen. We do feel alone a lot of the time because we can't go out,' said Melody. 'We used to be able to pick up Scarlett, throw her over your shoulder and manoeuvre the wheelchair around the steps or whatever ... but as Scarlett's gotten older, our lives have shrunk too.' Launching her blog, Melody of Life, in April as a way to raise awareness about Rett Syndrome, Melody said she'd like to see more general and funding support for people like Scarlett and their caregivers, instead of having to rely on community groups like the Optimist Club. On a municipal level, Melody said she'd love to see the Township of Centre Wellington install new accessibility upgrades like an adult-sized changing table at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex, to help residents living with physical disabilities or who are more medically fragile use and participate in community spaces. 'I know people often want to help but don't know how ... Until you live it, it's hard to know, and this is why I'm raising awareness,' said Melody. 'Just saying hey, we have a ramp, doesn't mean a space is accessible ... my daughter can't even use the local Sportsplex, which is something that's supposed to be for the whole community.' The Centre Wellington Optimist Club's Rett Syndrome fundraiser barbecue for the DeKorte family will be at the Medieval Faire on Saturday, behind the Red Door Cafe, next to Templin Gardens. More information about Rett Syndrome is available here . Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cross-border relationships are strained — but this town is forging a bond with a U.S. city by the same name
Amid strained cross-border relations between the U.S. and Canada over President Donald Trump's talk of annexation, a small Ontario town is on a quest to rekindle its relationship with a nearby U.S. city. The Town of Tecumseh, Ont., and its sister city, Tecumseh, Mich., both hope the long running tradition of the Tecumseh Corn Festival will serve as a focal point for this diplomatic overture. Coun. James Dorner, who represents ward 2, says there used to be a stronger connection with Tecumseh, Mich., tied to the corn festival, which will mark its 49th anniversary this year. "In the past, [organizers] used to invite delegates from Tecumseh, Mich., over, and the last time we had them over was nine years ago in 2016," Dorner said on Windsor Morning. The Optimist Club, with which Dorner volunteers, has been running the festival for three years, "and they're looking to bring back some of these older traditions." According to Dorner, the organizers started looking at the Tecumseh, Mich., council and Dorner said "eerily," one of the councillors there [Austin See] "had way too much in common for it to be a coincidence. "We were both in the military, he was in the U.S. Marine Corps, I was in our armed forces, we had the same trade — combat engineers — so we did the exact same job. He deployed to Iraq, I went to Afghanistan, and then we both got on council and were around the same age." 'We're all very excited' Dorner said reached out to See "almost instantly" and they've been talking ever since. "Austin and I have spoken on the phone a few times [and] I'm going there this weekend," Dorner said. "He mentioned that there's a Sand Sculpture Festival … happening, but he's told a lot of their council and administration about me coming over and they're just thrilled to have me. We're all very excited." Like Dorner, See said there was "instant connection" between them. "James and I immediately connected, just from our backgrounds as combat engineer veterans, the fact that we're younger council members in both cities of Tecumseh, [and] our personalities really mesh well together," See told CBC Windsor. "Our first phone call lasted four hours, there was so much to talk about. I felt like I was talking to myself for four hours." See said he's really looking forward to the Tecumseh Corn Festival, and he "can't wait to show [Dorner] this weekend all the cool things that we do for this Sand Sculpture Festival." See said he loves the initiative to reignite the relationship between the two Tecumsehs. "Canadians and Americans, we need to continue to look at each other as brothers and sisters, like we're family," See said. The Tecumseh Corn and Music Festival will be held Aug. 22 to 24 at McAuliffe Park.
Hamilton Spectator
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Would bigger be better for Canada Day in Niagara Falls?
While praising city officials for organizing an 'amazing' Canada Day celebration, Niagara Falls city councillors mused about creating an even 'bigger' and 'better' event at Firemen's Park. 'A couple of people said we wish we really had one big band at the end of the day or the end of the night to kind of keep people there,' said Coun. Mike Strange during last week's meeting. 'Maybe that's something we can think of. To get a nice big band like The Trews — I think it would keep people there.' Kathy Moldenhauer, the city's general manager of recreation, culture and facilities, said officials would need the support of sponsors for that to happen. 'If anybody has any sponsors who want to help sponsor that big band at the end of the day, we'd love to get that because I know our budget is limited for next year,' she said. 'We do start planning now for next year.' Firemen's Park hosted the city's celebration of Canada's 158th birthday July 1 with live music and entertainment, food, vendors, inflatables, a cake/cupcake giveaway and more. The bandshell stage featured various performances, while the family zone stage included a day of family-friendly entertainment and interactive shows. Coun. Chris Dabrowski said the city should consider turning its Canada Day celebrations into a two-day event. 'We can look at ways of generating revenue to pay for some of those things because the gate numbers draw people and the people draw revenue to the vendors and then the vendors pay to be there,' he said. 'It's really difficult to get a vendor to set up for one day. They come to a one-day event, they try to generate some revenue, but if you have two days, they might pay a little bit more. Having a beer tent or look at ways that we can gate a nighttime concert, I think it's a great idea.' Dabrowski said there are ways to keep the event community oriented but also attract tourists. 'It's great that we do it for our community, but bigger could be better with events and with a large band like The Trews — maybe you could even charge for ticketing on an event like that.' Coun. Victor Pietrangelo brought up carnival rides, similar to years past when the city held its Canada Day celebrations at Optimist Club. 'I know, mayor, you've suggested this already — bring the rides back, have them there on Canada Day, especially if it falls on a weekend, it makes a lot of sense,' he said. 'They're there for three days and then everyone celebrates Canada Day with the rides there — I think that would be a great addition to what we're already doing.' Mayor Jim Diodati said as Niagara Falls' Canada Day celebrations continue to grow, ride companies will take note of the economic benefits that would come from committing to the municipal event. 'I think they're going to make an economic decision, based on bottom line and once they see where we're at … they're going to want to set up their carnival rides and bands are going to want to play where we have a gated, make some money event,' he said. Dabrowski suggested the city consider partnering with community groups such as Ribstock when organizing future Canada Day events. 'A little bit of private, a little bit of public, it takes the burden off a lot of the labour and the staff, and we can partner with a local organization to help benefit some charities — the possibilities are endless,' he said. Coun. Mona Patel suggested finishing the city's Canada Day event with fireworks or a drone show. 'Maybe it becomes our own little celebration.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
True North, strong and foamy: Port Colborne to bring Canada Day bash to waterfront
Port Colborne is gearing up for a jam-packed Canada Day celebration that promises something for all ages, including foam parties, face painting, fireworks and country rock by the canal. Organized by Port Colborne Optimist Club and supported by the city, Canada Day in the Park will return to H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park on July 1. Festivities kick off at 10:30 a.m. with a Mad Science demonstration, setting the tone for a day filled with interactive entertainment. The Optimist Club has lined up a roster of entertainment, including bounce houses, face painting, a birds of prey exhibit and, back by popular demand, a foam party. People can also look forward to meeting beloved Disney characters who will be roaming the park throughout the day for high-fives and photos. A vendor fair will take over parts of the park with handmade crafts and artisanal products, while a variety of food trucks and local vendors will help keep guests fuelled with snacks and summer treats. 'This event really brings the community together,' the city said in a statement. 'It's a great way to celebrate what it means to be Canadian — fun, family and time spent outdoors.' Once the sun starts to set, celebrations will move to the waterfront. At 7:30 p.m., local country rock band The Blackstones will take the stage at the corner of West and Sugarloaf streets. The evening concert is free to attend, and people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets to enjoy the show along the Welland Canal. To cap the day off, the sky above West Street will light up with a fireworks display to begin about 10 p.m. The launch is dependent on seaway traffic, but organizers are hopeful for a show that wraps up the day with a bang. More details about the full schedule of events is available on the city's website . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
