2012 Polar Bear Swim

I hope everyone one had a wonderful Christmas with their families and friends. As we come to a close on the year 2011. Personally I reflect back on this time last year preparing myself for the annual chilly dip into Lake Ontario - in support of the Clarington Polar Bear Swim fundraiser for Sick Children's Foundation. The 2011 swim/dip had 143 swimmers/dippers raising $15,000. Hopefully this years event can even be more successful. Considering the long range forecast I remain optimistic that we can succeed in beating out last years totals - both in participants and amount raised for the cause.

2011 Polar Bear Swim

Me from last year's swim.

It is nearing that time of year again to think about the annual Polar Bear Swim in Lake Ontario. Money raised from this particular bone-chilling event goes to the Sick Kids Foundation. Here is a link to the charitable group that hosts this annual event. http://claringtonpolarbearswim.com/about.htm This event will be taking place on January 1st, 2011 at the Port of Newcastle (bottom of Mill Street)

Site of the Clarington Polar Bear Swim

If you don't want to swim, that's fine! However, you can always participate by donating to a swimmer or just the general donation fund, all money is greatly appreciated.

Note: When I participated in my first swim back in 2006, I chose to wear my referee jersey in order to stick out from the crowd. Well, it stuck and I have been wearing the referee jersey to each swim since, even though I have retired from officiating. It's all for a good cause.

Flanders Fields!

With remembrance of those who fought and died for our freedoms. May they all rest in peace!

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD
(1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

RIP Cpl Tyler Crooks

Although this has nothing to do with my volunteerism. It still deals with volunteering. Cpl Tyler Crooks is a cousin of a friend. Cpl Crooks was taken away from them while serving his country, the most unselfish form of volunteerism I can think of. This poem was written by Hailey at the age of 15. I hope you enjoy her words... and please take the time to thank any member of our armed forces because without the volunteerism and dedication and in far too many cases their ultimate sacrifice we would not be enjoying the freedoms we have today!

Rest In Peace Cpl. Tyler Crooks♥

Hailey's poem:

...Must we fight for others rights?
Stopping evil, but still no light
There's no light now that you're gone ...
You were fighting for our country before it all went wrong
Your lights were burnt out when you turned twenty four
You were taken far too soon, it's just not right
You fought for us, but now you're out of sight
This makes me wonder about war
I'm an outsider, but it looks like they only want more
You did the right thing, you've made history
Our family's now hurt, but we know you don't want misery
We now fight in the path you've made
By the sacrifice of your life, others were saved
Still we cry and wonder why
We know your in heaven helping us get by
Life is too short, as I learned from you
Living life too the fullest is what we should do
This is for all the soldiers who’s lives were took
This is for you,

Rest In Peace Tyler Crooks

I was given $20.00 to pay forward

Recently I was given twenty dollars and asked to pay it forward - meaning don't spend it on myself. Well today was the day that I got to donate the money to worth while organizations. I divided the twenty into four fives and found four different organizations at today's Apple Festival in Bowmanville. A five dollar donation went to the Lions Club; five dollar donation went to Ride to Conquer Cancer; five dollar donation went to Support our Troops; the last five dollars was donated to Bethesda House. All very worth while organizations. The representatives from each organization was extremely thankful for the donation.

I would like to thank the Investors Group for the twenty dollars that was distributed today.

SMILE

Now that school has started I have shifted my volunteerism to the school community. Last semester I had applied and attended a training session to become a Mentor through the SMILE (Student Mentor through Life and Education) program. Well I have been matched up with three proteges whom are all first year students in the same program as I am. It is a fantastic opportunity to continue with the Servant Leadership role that I came to know and love having spent time at Habitat for Humanity. However, for reasons of confidentiality I will not be able to elaborate too much about my interactions with my proteges. I am sure you understand.

Update

It has been a while since my last posting. Anyhow, due to a knee injury I have not been able to volunteer for the past several weeks. However, the knee is healing and I should be back into the volunteering with Habitat real soon.

On the Habitat front; yesterday while roaming the vendors at the Canada Day weekend fair in Cobourg, I met up with representatives with Habitat for Humanity Northumberland. Things went very well in the conversation and I am looking forward to doing some volunteering with them starting within the next couple of weeks. At the moment they're in the finishing stages of a home in Cobourg. Then they will be breaking ground on a build in Port Hope.

That's it for now folks! Many cheers!