Wellesley citizenship awards recognize work of volunteers
Wellesley and District Board of Trade honours the contributions of active community members by naming them as the township’s citizen of the year, junior citizen and lifetime award recipient
THREE WELLESLEY TOWNSHIP VOLUNTEERS have not gone unnoticed by the Wellesley and District Board of Trade.
Henry Brick, Jamie Reid and Maddi Da Rosa each received a Wellesley Citizen of the Year award last weekend. Brick was awarded the Lifetime Award, Reid was given the Citizen of the Year Award and Da Rosa received the Junior Citizen of the Year Award.
A retired Waterloo Regional Police officer, Brick was heavily involved in all aspects of the community during his 26 years there. He’s since moved back to Waterloo, but the award is just as special as it would be if he still lived there.
“It’s very, very satisfying and it’s a great honour to receive it because it was by the board of trade and that’s a group of volunteers. And they’re looking at me and saying, ‘hey you did a good thing over the years,’” Brick said.
His volunteerism includes serving as a member of the Lions Club, collecting for the Arthritis Society, fundraising and coordinating donations for residents who lost their belongings in the Runstedler fire, president of minor sports, coaching softball, a member of the Wellesley Trails Association including helping build a portion of the trail along the pond, driv- ing patients to the hospital for the Cancer Society, and helping out at the annual Kids and Cops event.
Volunteering was just a natural thing to do.
“Volunteers make things work, volunteers make things happen. Wellesley is a particularly good example,” Brick said.
In his acceptance speech he noted how it’s up to the adult volunteers to influence the next generation and continue on with the spirit of giving back in the township.
“Not only do volunteers get involved with projects, but they mentor and coach, they set an example and they present a lot of opportunities for the younger generation to get involved. That is something that is not always thought about with volunteers. You’re influencing the next generation of volunteers, and to me that is very important,” Brick said.
He notes how he set the example for his grandson Derek Brick who was named Junior Citizen of the Year last year and how Bob Reid set the example for his son Jamie.
“It’s just part of my responsibilities. I’ve been a volunteer most of my adult life and I will continue to be one as long as possible,” Brick said.
Jamie Reid is also no stranger to lending a hand, which isn’t surprising considering how involved his parents are with all aspects of the community. Reid has been part of the Paradise and District Lions Club, the Apple Butter and Cheese Festival committee, president of the Wellesley Curling Club, coached both the Twin Centre Hericanes and Twin Centre Stars, as well as doing volunteer firefighting.
“My dad, he was the Citi-
zen of the Year I believe in 1994. He’s involved in the Lions Club, the Wellesley Christmas Tyme Parade. I was volunteering with him probably before I was old enough to volunteer. I kind of followed him around for 20 years or so and then got into everything myself,” Reid said.
He can’t neglect to mention his mom Susan, who also has been a strong volunteer with the Lions Club, the ABC Festival and the Wellesley Christmas Tyme Parade.
He encourages other Wellesley residents to step up and volunteer, mentioning how the community wouldn’t be what it is without the efforts of volunteers.
“I see Wellesley as being a great town with a lot of potential. I love the town of Wellesley and I feel the need to give back and help the community,” Reid said.
Reid doesn’t pick one volunteer effort as more meaningful than any other, but says the ABC Festival is the largest, being the biggest fundraiser for the village.
He, like all three recipients, was surprised to receive the award.
“It’s nice to be recognized for the work that you do. I’m sure there’s many others that deserve it just as much, if not more than I do. It’s definitely an honour and it’s very humbling to know that people actually see what you do in the community and to be recognized for that,” Reid said.
Da Rosa only moved to Wellesley two years ago but jumped in feet first. The Grade 11 student works at the Wellesley arena and volunteers in her spare time. She didn’t even know the award existed until she found out she was nominated for it.
“I help out with Art Round the Pond every year. I do the button booth and I work with kids all day. I also do the Wellesley Soap Box Derby. I help set it up and I help with the timing. I’m also in Theatre Wellesley. I’ve helped with a few of their plays and I’ve been in one and I’d say that’s my favourite part of being here,” Da Rosa said.
She said her mom played a huge role in getting her involved. Her mom introduced her to Wendy Sauder, the board of trade’s treasurer. Sauder helps run a lot of community activities and when she asked Da Rosa to volunteer, Da Rosa says she had no reason to say no.
“I think volunteering to help out with Theatre Wellesley would be my favourite. I am with them their entire season and I help them rehearse their lines and I help with the prompting. I help with costumes and I help with makeup and I’m there for all their tech rehearsals and dress rehearsals and I get to see the final product on stage. It’s very rewarding,” De Rosa said.
Volunteering has helped her step out of her comfort zone, something she recommends for anyone thinking about becoming a volunteer. She says the award is humbling because she didn’t know anyone had noticed her work, she was just doing it for fun and to get involved with her new community.
“It’s definitely rewarding and people respect that you are out and volunteering. It’s a very small community so you get to know everyone and everyone knows you.”