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| | a 10 - PORT PERRY STAR, Tuesday, February 20, 2001 EA LAT WTTTTENIRRTNNe. "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" Chamber's the driving force behind community events Ever been to a Santa Claus parade, a community party, or fireworks display on Canada Day? Ever wonder who was behind these community events? It's members of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce who are the driving force behind these projects, and it's all done voluntarily. No one is paid. It's all a vol- unteer effort. Since moving to Scugog Township six years ago JoAnne Cerovich has been an active member of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce, and currently is serving as sec- ond vice-president. Other members who volunteer their time and efforts on the board of directors are President Les Gower, Past-President Don MacLeod, First vice-president Jayson Callan, Secretary Peter Crawford, Treasurer Stephen. Gray, and directors Derek Grant, Fred Haines, Jennine Huffman, Ray Northey and Yvonne Pepper. "Serving on the Chamber of Commerce has given me a great opportunity to meet people and make lasting friendships," said Mrs. Cerovich. Mrs. Cerovich is reluctant to be singled out. She says she is part of a group effort that donates hundreds of hours of volun- teer effort and time. "It's so difficult to single one person out and say this person pulled a particular effort together," she said. "As members of the Chamber of Commerce, we are all part of a team effort." Sometimes pulling off a community event may seem to be a thankless job, she says. "But when you see a kid's smile at a Santa Claus parade or get a thank-you from another at Festival Days, no matter how tired you are, that kid's smile just makes all your volunteer efforts more worthwhile." Mrs. Cerovich is also a strong supporter of tourism in Scugog Township. She has volunteered her time to staff the Scugog tourism booth at the trade shows. "We don't get any money from the municipality or region," she said. "It's all volunteers who set up the booth, work it, and then take it down." JoAnne Cerovich is one of the many busy volunteers with the Scugog Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Cerovich is also the chambers rep- resentative on the Tourist Association of Durham Region (TADR); this is her second year as president. At the Scugog Tourist Information Centre, a joint venture of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce and the Port Perry Business Improvement Area, Mrs. Cerovich is in charge of hiring, training and ° management of staff. And it's all done on a voluntary basis. "This tourist office becomes my second home and office throughout the summer," she said. The Blackstock resident also sits on the Scugog Economic . Development Committee. : Mrs. Cerovich is often asked how she finds time to manage a family, run a graph- ics design business with her husband, Sandy, and still have the energy to devote so much time to volunteer her services. "Well, I guess | have lots of energy and a basic love for my community," she said. "I make time for it all. Being a volunteer enriches my life. It makes you feel great you were a small part of a big team effort." e Lionel McTague DDS e Vince LeRiche DDS PORT PERRY DENTAL ASSOCIATES e Kevin R. Dunkerley DDS Sandro Del Rosso H.B.Sc., DDS e Robert G. Boyko BA, DDS. MS -- Orthodontist "e Nancy Baldan DDS -- Periodontist 985-8459 * 985-7396 Haliburton-Smith devotes time to numerous efforts When Heather Haliburton-Smith isn't managing the floral shop at the IGA you can bet she's probably volunteering her services somewhere to someone in need. * "Helping others has always been a way of life for me as my parents were always lending a hand," she said "I've always had a desire to improve the quality of life for all people, both locally and internationally." She isn't the only one in the family who strives to help others. Her husband, Bob, does a lot, too. "We volunteer a lot together, too, but | seem to get all the notoriety." One of the many causes Mrs. Haliburton- Smith backs is Easter Seals. This organiza- tion supports over 30 children with physical disabilities from, our local area as well as those throughout the province. "My son is an Easter Seals child. But, iron- ically, 1 was involved with this organization before Devon was born 16 years ago." The Hospital For Sick Children also bene- fits from the volunteer efforts of the Smiths. This summer the couple, along with the help of friends, is holding its sixth annual yard sale where all proceeds will go to Sick Kids Hospital. Getting donations from "absolutely every- body", this annual project raised over $8,000 last year. "Pretty good for a yard sale, eh?" During the festive season Mrs. Haliburton- Smith is often referred to as the "Christmas Tree Widow". Her husband looks after all the fundraising efforts of the Boy Scouts through their Christmas tree sales. But the Port Perry woman also gives of herself through the Port Perry Rotary Club. The first woman to join Rotary five years ago, she says she enjoys her involvement with this service group because of its commitment to help in the community and abroad. "Rotary meets once a week, every Wednesday night at Emiel's Place. It's the only club that meets weekly and that is one of the reasons we accomplish so much", she says. Since joining Rotary Mrs. Haliburton- Smith has served as chairman of Aquarama. After serving as chair of Snowarama for several years she stepped down this year but was actively involved as the assistant chair- man in a joint effort with CORSA (Central Ontario Regional Snowmobile Association). Both events raised money for Easter Seals. ATot of other work is done through Rotary. Heather Haliburton-Smith There was the Christmas lights project where they decorated the gardens at the front of the nursing home and hospital. "We like to improve the quality of life for those confined inside," she says. The hospital has benefited in other ways, too: "Through our ongoing volunteer projects we were able to donate funds for equipment in the neonatal department." Other projects Rotary supports are Operation Eyesight, the Kids Safety Village, Boy Scouts, the Seniors' Christmas dinner, improvements at Rotary Park and an inter generational program at Prince Albert PS. "We pay for the school kids to be bussed to and from the nursing home where they spend a half day making crafts and reading with the seniors." The list can go on and on and it's all sup- ported by Rotarians and the community. "The support of individuals in the communi- ty who support all our endeavours helps pro- vide a better qualify of life for those in need, both locally and internationally," she says. Rotary also gives bursaries to students of the two local high schools and Durham College. Although Mrs. Haliburton-Smith has never taken part in the Rotary exchange program she says many members have voluntarily opened their homes to international guests. ROYAL BANK Supporting D. Denise House Our Community || || * Through Local Involvement | || - A 'Safe Place For Abused Women and Their Children 210 QUEEN STREET PORT PERRY | Tel: (905) 985-7316 Fax: (905) 985-0741 Protection / Safety e Accommodations for abused women and their children 24 hour crisis line of hand, if is about an * Supportive Counselling | "unhealthy * Information, referrals Woman Assault isn't about an argument that got out relationship" where the hem -- 1-800-263-3725 (905) 728-7311 controlover (905) 728-4394 (TDD) | partner. batterer desires "power and