PETROLIA MAYOR CELEBRATES VOLUNTEERISM FOR 2020 and 2021

Petrolia, ON- Mayor R. Brad Loosley was pleased to honour all Town volunteers tonight at the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.  Ninety-five people attended the event at the Petrolia Legion and were treated to dinner and an evening of celebration of their efforts for the Town.   The value for every one hundred volunteers is just over the equivalent of $370,000.00 in man hours. 

Service Club members, Town Committees, Victoria Playhouse Petrolia volunteers, and many other groups were recognized at the event.  The evening culminated with Mayor Loosley awarding the Volunteer of the Year Awards two four individuals and presented one special recognition.

The four main categories that have been traditionally used to cover as many of the volunteer categories as possible, with a criterion set for each one to assist the selection committee in making the final decision were abandoned for this event as 2020 and 2021 did not look the same as other years have for volunteerism in the Town of Petrolia.

Town of Petrolia – Volunteer of the Year 2020 – Community Partner – SUSAN LAKER

• Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 216 
• Member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 216 Ladies Auxiliary
• Member of the Lions Club of Petrolia
• Instrumental in the planning of the combined service clubs Christmas for Everyone Luncheon
• Fundraiser and organizer of Baconfest and car shows

Town of Petrolia – Volunteer of the Year 2020 – Community Service – PAUL GORDON

• Member of the Community Services Advisory Committee
• Town events set up, clean up and operations volunteer
• Petrolia Farmers’ Market COVID-19 Volunteer
• Strong advocate for youth involvement in their community
• Organizes the Hull Bus Lines Shuttle stops each year for Canada Day, and gives his time to drive a bus for the event
• Brings the Hull Bus Lines bus in the Canada Day Parade and to the Farmers’ Market to promote the Canada Day shuttles
• Legacy Lappers volunteer
• Lifelong supporter of LCDS

Town of Petrolia – Volunteer of the Year 2021 – Community Partner – ROGER MAILLOUX

Town of Petrolia – Volunteer of the Year 2021 – Community Service – ROSS ELLSWORTH

• Member of the Petrolia Trails Committee
• Member of the Community Services Advisory Committee
• Key volunteer in the technical set up for events
• The “do anything volunteer” for Town events, parades and more
• Member of the Lambton Central Petrolia Optimist Club
• Victoria Playhouse Petrolia volunteer, backstage, technical assistance as required, and front of house support
• Films at Victoria Hall volunteer and committee member
• Farmer’s Market COVID-19 Volunteer

Town of Petrolia – Volunteer of the Year 2020 – 2021 – Special Recognition – Special Operations Response Team (SORT)

Some background on SORT:

• The volunteers of the Support Operations Response Team also known as SORT are trained in basic emergency management principles and firefighter rehabilitation skills.
• Each year, they provide thousands of volunteer hours to support the Petrolia & North Enniskillen Fire Department and residents of the surrounding area.
• SORT volunteers are prepared to respond to emergencies. They’re on the scene with firefighters, hazardous materials responders, and rescue personnel to ensure the health and safety of all fire department members and affected residents. This includes rehabilitating the frontline workers and decontaminating hazardous material.
• They support the emergency management for the town of Petrolia. They provide input on the emergency response plan and establish and manage emergency shelters, educate the public about emergency management and more.

During the early stages of the pandemic, SORT volunteers stepped up to help the community:

• They implemented a plan for the COVID drive-through assessment centre and supported mass vaccination clinics held at the local arena by providing monitoring and logistics support.

• Each month, they meet to train and sharpen their skills to be in support to Petrolia and North Enniskillen Fire Department.

Mayor R. Brad Loosley couldn’t thank each volunteer enough and stated, “… it is my pleasure to recognize these volunteers for their exceptional service in the Town of Petrolia.  I would like to also, once again, express my gratitude for each of you, and the role that you play in making our town a well-known community, and for giving so freely of your time and expertise.  We thank you!”

                Each of the honourees was awarded a framed certificate from the mayor, and a glass award with the Town’s clock tower on the face, and bouquets of flowers.  

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Attachment:  Photo: From left to right:  Paul Gordon, Roger Mailloux, Ross Ellsworth, Susan Laker, Mayor R. Brad Loosley, four members of Support Operations Response Team (SORT)