NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF GUELPH
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Mayor Cam Guthrie will present Mayor’s Awards to six exceptional local volunteers tonight as part of the Guelph Awards of Excellence Gala.
The 2019 honourees are:
Dale Gauley and Sean Magee, who were the driving force behind the Guelph Community Volunteer Patrol, which was founded in 1996. The Patrol supported the Guelph Police by assisting in missing persons searches, picking up stolen bicycles, attending special events, and helping with campaigns such as Lock It or Lose It and Safe Semester. Though the Patrol disbanded this year because of a lack of volunteers, it made significant contributions over the years and was valued for being another set of eyes and ears for the police service and the community.
Stephanie Riley, the volunteer Chair of Hope and the City, an annual fundraiser for women’s cancers that has raised nearly $200,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society over its first 10 years. A local real estate agent, Stephanie has also organized and volunteered for the Royal LePage Royal City’s annual National Garage Sale for shelter, and their Summer Soiree, both of which raise funds for Guelph-Wellington Women In Crisis. She also volunteers and fundraises for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Guelph and the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington.
Jagger Sheridan, a 14-year-old goalie who inspired his team to raise funds for life-changing surgery for a young Ugandan boy with clubbed feet. He has also led fundraising campaigns for breast cancer research and women’s and paediatric cancer research. Other efforts include collecting hockey equipment for the Guelph Giants and organizing fundraising bake sales, food drives, bottle drives, and leaf raking. He also plays guitar in a band, serves as a peer coach to Special Olympics athletes, and maintains a rigorous training schedule with his hockey team. His coaches call him a quiet leader who inspires others both on and off the ice.
Adrian Harding, who has served on the Hillside Festival board of directors for 18 years. As volunteer IT architect, he built the network that provides reception and powers debit terminals on Guelph Lake. He has devised many of Hillside’s green initiatives, including pedal-powered batteries and solar cell-charging stations, and has served as treasurer, chair of the sustainability committee, and as a member of the human resources, finance, volunteer, vending, and artistic committees. He is a co-founder of Diyode, a not-for-profit workshop for DIY enthusiasts and inventors that gives young people hands-on training in tools and mechanical equipment. He is also a volunteer for Trees for Tots, a float-maker for the Santa Claus parade, and a member of the City’s Downtown Advisory Committee.
John Valeriote, a fixture of local boards of directors and fundraising committees for the past 50 years. He was instrumental in establishing the Guelph Community Foundation and is a highly prized volunteer, fundraiser, and committee member at Hospice Wellington, the Basilica of Our Lady, and the Art Gallery of Guelph. His fundraising efforts were key to the creation of the Family statute in St. George’s Square, the refurbishment of the carousel at Riverside Park, and the new Guelph Civic Museum. He has been a Rotarian for 44 years and a member of the boards of directors of the United Way and the Homewood for decades. Working behind the scenes with generosity and integrity, John has helped ensure the success of many of Guelph’s cultural icons and community organizations.
“It is a privilege for me to shine a spotlight on these citizens’ contributions through the Mayor’s Awards,” said Mayor Guthrie. “They are truly making Guelph a better place, and they are an inspiration to us all. On behalf of the City, I thank them for their volunteer service.”
Since 1997, the sitting Mayor of Guelph has presented Mayor’s Awards to recognize people who are making outstanding contributions to the Guelph community.
More information about the Mayor’s Awards and the 2019 honourees can be found here.
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