Petrolia Volunteers Honoured by Mayor R. Brad Loosley
Petrolia, ON – It was a full house at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 216 in Petrolia this evening as Mayor Loosley hosted the annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner for Town of Petrolia Committees and volunteers for 2024.
2024 marked a historic year in the oil town, where the celebrations were seemingly endless, and the community spirit was at an all-time high. While thanking the volunteers, Mayor R. Brad Loosley stated that, “Volunteerism is one of the most important factors in community building, and Petrolia is among the most fortunate for the number of volunteers, and the number of hours that those people share with our community.”
Deputy Mayor, Joel Field added that, “Volunteers are absolutely so important to Petrolia, and personally, I feel so grateful to be at many of these events with you seeing our resident’s pride in Petrolia and visitors seeing our special town for what it is – a community.”
In recognition of the “Volunteer of the Year for 2024” Mayor Loosley formally recognized The Petrolia 150 Committee, a group of people that worked for five years to create the 2024 celebrations, and for their work throughout 2024 to leave nothing to chance. “…Folks that are members of our community, our service clubs, our business community, students at LCCVI, and members of staff.
The number of volunteer hours for the Petrolia 150 events alone, has been estimated to be around 25,660 hours in 2024. This does not include the Petrolia 150 Committee commitment over 6 years. That number is estimated at 16,980 hours of planning, executing, and follow-up.”
The Petrolia 150 Celebrations by the Numbers
- 558 celebration certificates were issued for various birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones.
- 478 individual events
took place in 2024 in Petrolia
- Many of these events took place over several days.
- Many were hosted by groups, service clubs, organizations, and nearly all of them had a fun 150 nod included.
- With the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, the signature events, and the 150 events it is estimated that Petrolia played host to nearly 100,000 visitors in 2024, resulting in an economic spin off equaling nearly $16 MILLION dollars to Petrolia, the County, and the region.
- The number of volunteer hours for the Petrolia 150 events alone, has been estimated around 25,660 hours for a volunteer roster of approximately 100 people in 2024 – about 256.6 hours per volunteer.
- This does not include the Petrolia 150 Committee commitment over 6 years. That number is estimated at 16,980 hours of planning, executing, and follow-up.
- We ate around 116 dozen cupcakes … or 1392 of them! Had 7 Slab Cakes, that feed around 100 people.
The Petrolia 150 Committee members:
Volunteer of the Year 2024
In Recognition of Their Outstanding Volunteer Contributions to the Petrolia 150 Celebrations
- Pam Bradshaw
- Barbara Prescott
- Ethan Steinke
- Danika Steinke
- Dawn McNally
- Deb Kohoutek
- Marie Currie
- Ross Ellsworth
- Judy Krall
- Telsie Jackson
- Angie Murphy
- Laura Burke
- Sue Hart
- Teresa Thomas
- Chairperson – Denise Thibeault
In Recognition of Their Outstanding Commitment to the Petrolia 150 Celebrations
- Councillor – Ross O’ Hara
- Fire Chief – Rick Cousins
- Marketing and Special Events Associate – Thera Wagner
- Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities – Julie Bullock
- Director of Marketing, Arts and Communications – Laurissa Ellsworth
Chief Administrative Officer/Treasurer Rick Charlebois punctuated the presentation by stating, “I would like to emphasize my gratitude to the volunteers for the hours of work behind the scenes, for the added workloads that were faced with smiles, and for their unwavering commitment to Petrolia.
I am very happy to be here today, at the annual volunteer dinner, with so many people that care so much about our Town and who work very hard to make it the wonderful place it truly is. Thank you for your support, and for the gift of time that you share with us!”
Each volunteer was presented with a framed certificate to commemorate their historical contributions to Petrolia.
