by Anne Naumann
The last few months have been busy for our community, and I wanted to take the time to acknowledge the work our team of volunteers has put in together so far in 2024.
In April, our Board supported an event proposed and planned by a resident of Highland Park, Tina B, to do a community litter cleanup blitz, called CARE, for Caring Actions Raise Everyone. Those cleanup efforts have continued with ongoing work by the “CARE team” to pick up garbage around our community periodically.
In June, another event planned by a resident, Alexis A, was a sewing workshop, so folks could meet other sewers in the area, and get hands-on experience to improve their sewing skills. There will likely be another of these workshops in the fall, so keep your ears open for more details.
Our volunteer Board of Directors oversees the running of our hall and preschool, with paid staff to manage hall rentals and teach the little ones. The Board is responsible for planning, funding, and overseeing renovations to the hall, as well as ensuring permitting and safety requirements are met. At our Annual General Meeting in June, we elected a new Board, with many returning Directors, as well as some new Directors. Our Board for the 2024-2025 year includes: Elise Bieche as President, Carolyne Mondoux as Vice President, Jill Kowalchuk as Treasurer, and Directors Chris Hunt, Amrit Kaur, Jeanne Kimber, Tanya Kowalchuk, Azhar Lakdawala, Donna Marzolf, Greg Miller, Suresh Nair, Anne Naumann, Nic Pommier, and Joe Petratur. We currently have no one filling the role of Secretary, so if you want more information or are interested, please contact me (see below).
Our volunteers also staffed a successful casino at the start of July. Thanks go out to Sam L, Anne N, Jessica V, Richard G, Rob T, Rosalind K, Elise B, Jill K, Carolyne M, Tanya K, Yvette V, Steven, Marilyn G, Anne L, Nina N, Hayley, Julie-Anne G, Dan G, Robert M, Graham B, Lorraine R, Jemma L, Tamara P, Allan Y, Rae S, Michelle H, Stephen W, Bill M, Keith N, Carol B, and Chris H. Funds earned from the casino will serve as matching funds with potential grants to do additional improvements at our hall over the next two years.
Our Community Events Committee has been hard at work planning the details for the various events we have hosted and are still planning to host later this year. Our committee includes Chris H, Anne N, Rosa D, Marika H, Amrit K, and new members Tina B, and Julie E. We had a very successful and fun Stampede BBQ event in July, which was attended by 500+ folks over the course of the evening. The petting zoo was a big hit, the mini donuts and ice cream trucks were a fun addition also, and as always, the musical acts were excellent. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped with a shift to set up, sell tickets, distribute buns, replenish condiments, flip burgers (including our MLA Lizette Tejada), and to clean up afterward. We couldn’t have pulled this off without all of you!
Because 2024 is Highland Park’s 70th Anniversary (we were incorporated in 1954), we had special signs made that you can put your face into and make it look like you are jive dancing, or attending the Sunset Drive In Theatre that used to be on the site of the large CSC Church Central Campus at 2 St and 40 Ave NE. Look for them at our next event!
This is only a subset of the amazing work our team of volunteers has been doing. On behalf of our Board of Directors, I can tell you we are all truly thankful for everyone’s contribution. If you want to join any of these awesome teams of volunteers, please contact me at [email protected].
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