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MHC volunteers launch - major recruitment drive An unusual talent hunt began on Jan. 17 in North Simcoe. That's the day canvassers began circulating let- ters and brouchures door-to-door to an estimated 7,500 homes in Midland and Penetanguishene, sear- ching for people with the time and ability to become active volun- teers at the Penetanguishene Mental Health Centre. The 80 members of the Centre's Volunteer Association need _ help _ this year to meet the demand for their ser- vices, which form an integral part of the therapy programs at the hospital. These activities range from one-to-one discussions between patients and volunteers, {0 participation in dances, sports events, special meals and church services. The association also operates a_ clothing boutique for patients ¥ using donated articles, shops for personal items for patients who cannot yet out on their own, and runs a gift shop for patients and visitors to the Centre. Unlike general hospitals, where bed rest and restricted activities are the rule, psychiatric hospitals stress the importance for patients of being up and active. Part of being active means maintaining contact with and interest in the world Outside' the hospital grounds. And it is here that volunteers are particularly im- portant. For many patients at the Mental Health Centre, volunteers are a main - if not the only - link to the community. Today's volunteers come from all walks of life. They are men and women who are professionals, home- inakers, sales people and retired individuals. The common thread for Decor is number one! John Urbanic, left, Director of Reliability for General Motors, presents a Top Quality Award plaque to Decor employees Jack Beer and Wayne Latour. The presentation was made to honour all: ol. them * 1S) <a willingness to lend "a hand, an ear and a lieart"' to help those less fortunate than them- setves through the process of recovery and return {to their com- munities. Aside from a willingness to help oO fh ers , MHC volunteer services co- ordinator Linda Woods says there are no special skills needed to become part of the hospital's volunteer team. "We need men and women 18 Or Over," she says, "who are prepared to make a commitment during the day or in the evening to help out with programs they are most interested in. Some of Our volunteers are directly involved with patients; others provide a general assistance such as in our shopping program and_ the Operation of the boutique and gift shop. "In return, we feel our volunteers get personal satisfaction, gain an insight they might not Otherwise have into mental illness and_ its treatment, and have a chance to develop new or unused interpersonal skills. "We also offer our volunteers a chance to meel new people through a formal association that meets regularly to discuss experiences and ger- nerale program ideas' We think it's an exciting and rewarding challenge for people, something that sup- plements what they get at home or in the work place."' The Penetanguishene Mental Health Centre, with beds for 542 patients, is the second largest of the 10 provincial psychiatric hospitals directly operated by the Ontario Ministry of Health. Its regional division serves an area bounded Decor workers for the high quality standards they keep in the products they produce for General Motors. The award has been awarded Only twice in Canada, and Only 20 times in all of North America. Tiny denies Y's request Township of Tiny will not grant the Midland YMCA"s request for financial assistance to sustain its Operations in 1984. The request for funds from the YMCA was studied by Parks, Recreation and Com- munity Centres Com- mittee of the township, which recommended that the request be denied. The Committee stated that it does not sanction public funds being contributed to private groups. which limit usage 0 a membership. In a letter to Council, Assistant Recreation Director Roger Robitaille explained the Committee's position. "If the service being provided was available to the general public and not limited to members Only then this A could be considered in a different light. The YMCA has always operated on the basis of private funding. Their fund raising campaign is supported 'by con- tributions from __in- Library An existing contract between the Township of Tiny and the Town of Penetanguishene to provide library service for Tiny residents falls short of the amount needed to pay for the service, and the Penetanguishene Library Board has asked Tiny to review the contract. The cost of library service to township residents in 1984 was estimated at $6,160 by Patricia Lalonde, Chairman of _ the dividuals (Private sector) and some of these contributions are ratepayers of this municipality and therefore if the municipality also contributed, then: in- users asked to pay Penetanguishene Library Board. The contract only allows for $4,571 to be paid, and Mrs. Lalonde suggested the difference be paid by library users in a fee of $5 per annum, beginning Jan. 1. Several library users were asked to pay this $5 fee alt the Penetanguishene Library, in spite of a verbal agreement "man, in- con- directly those dividuals are tributing twice." Council supported this decison to deny the request at its meeting on Jan. 10, grant falls short supposedly reached late in' December between Louise Butler, Tiny Library Board Chair- and Lalonde. Township Clerk-ad- ministrator Guy Maurice stated "Butler had understood that there would be no charges against Tiny Township residents until further notice."' Council and_ the library board will hold a joint meeting to try and reach a compromise solution to the problem, Maurice said. by Parry Sound to Beaverton, Orangeville to Owen Sound. The Oak division - the only maximum security psychiatric unit in the province - draws it patients from across Ontario, and has earned an international reputation for the treatment programs it has pioneered. Starting Tuesday, and for the rest of this week, Midland and Penetanguishene _ re- sidents will be finding packages at their doors asking them to think about volunteering at the hospital. The letter and brochure give an Overview Of what to expect. And if people are interested enough to explore the prospect further, they can call Linda Woods at the hospital, at 549-3181, extension 283. Ridge It's a challenge. The Centre, its patients and volunteers hope it will be met. Incoming and outgoing The Centre d'activites franeaises said goodbye last week to Francine Lamarche Aubin, left, who served as Administrative Secretary at the Centre since Oct. 1982, Here Francine outlines some 4f the fine points of her former position to her successor, Marie-Jeanne Robitaille. Mavrie-Jeanne is no stranger al the Centre. She started in January of last year with the Tourism project, and worked since August with project Relais, so her step into the post of Administrative Secretary is a natural one. Best of luck to Marie-Jeanne in her new job, and to Francine as she leaves the Centre. "We'll really miss her', says Centre Director Basile Dorion, 'Snowmobilers should know the rules Snowmobilers, -- par- ticularly young Ones, may not be aware of some of the regulations which govern the use of these machines, says Penetanguishene Police Chief Robert Cum- mings. Ae vdriver, 20f./a riotorized snow vehicle on a higway must be 16 years old or Over, and must hold ~a_ valid driver's licence or a snowmobile operator's licence. Every driver must wear a helmet and must comply with public safety standards. A person who drives a snowmobile on a high- way Or public trail must carry liability insurance and be ready to produce evidence of that in- surance when required by a police officer or conervalion officer. There is a fine of $500 for not holding valid liability insurance. Holders of a snowmobile operator's licence who are aged 12 and 13 may Operate a machine oOn_ public trails; Operators age 14 and 15 may Operate on public trails and cross a highway al a 90 degree angle. Drivers 16 and up may Operate on public trails, cross high- ways al a 90 degree angle and travel on a Winter courses The Centre d'activites francaises, in collaboration with Georgian College, offers courses for the winter season in pottery, weaving, guitar, silksereening, French, exercise nutrition, pottery for children, and photography. Deadline for registrations is Jan. 20. safety tips, Trespass Act information are available free of charge highway where legally permitted. Ministry of Transport and Communications at the Penetanguishene Handbooks on Police station, says snowmobiling, with Chief Cummings. Boards appointed The following isa list of new and re-appointed embers of the yarious Boards and Committees of the Town of Penetanguishene, appointed al a special council meeting on Jan. 9. Planning Advisory Committee Larry McDonald, Helen Dubeau, Anne Murphy, Ross Spearn, T.W. Hurley, R. Baker, John Bayfield, Bob Sullivan, Mayor R. Bellisle Penetanguishene Arena, Parks and Recreation Board Frances St. Amant, Don McNee, John O'Hara, Carol Baker, Stan Leclair, Mayor R. Bellisle. Penetanguishene Museum Board Helen Dubeau, Red Hyde, Medora DeVillers, Robert Klug, Hubert Charlebois, Mayor R. Bellisle. Sewer Rate Appeal Committee Ray Baker (Chairman Public Works), Y.A. Gagne, F.W. Linn, Ernest Lalonde. Public Library Ronald Asselin, Patsy Lalonde, Ann McConnell, Frances Crooke, Mayor R. Bellisle. Hfuronia Airport Committee Arthur Stewart, Jake Reimer. North Simcoe Sanitary Landfill Committee Larry Bellisle, Lionel Dion. Penetanguishene Parks Community Centre Board Larry Bellisle, Art Stewart, Kitty Perrault, Jake Reimer, Bob Ruston, Ted Ross, Mayor R. Bellisle. Committee of Adjustment Douglas Leroux, Vic Dowling, W.M. Lethbridge, John O'Hara Sr., Orval Ambeau. Penetanguishene School Safety Committee Clara Piotrowski, Omer Gravelle, Frances St. Amant, Council's Rep. Industrial Commission Peter Shirriff, Horst Befort, Jim Park, Don McNee, Mayor R. Bellisle. Property Standards Committee. Mr. C. Wice, David Paulle, Donald Limoges. Penetanguishene Parking Authority Urbain Moreau, Louise Leclair. Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee Michelle Quealey, Margaret Martin, Joyce Sauve, John O'Hara Jr., Robert Klug. Midland Penetanguishene Economic Development Committee Donald MeNee, Jim Park, Y.A. Gagne. Wednesday, January 18, 1984, Page 3