THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS!

Written by Events and Volunteer Manager, Talia Potter:

On Saturday, March 22 the ICA celebrated our team of dedicated volunteers with a beach party in the main hall at the community association. We enjoyed Spolumbo’s sausages, salads, buns from Lina’s Piazza, a selection of brews from Eighty-Eight Brewing and Cold Garden, cake, and gelato from Righteous (thank you James O!), but the highlight of the evening was the volunteer awards.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the ICA Volunteers who make community programming and events, strategic planning and development, the newsletter and so much more realities for all who live in Inglewood. As I mentioned at the party, our community and community association are the envy of other neighbourhoods because of the dedication of you, our volunteers. Please take a moment to read through the list of volunteers who received special acknowledgement at the party, and if you know any of them, please be sure to wish them a congratulations and a thank you for their service.

2025 ICA Volunteer Award Recipients

Heavy Hitters

Volunteers who helped out with five or more shifts between January 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024.

Petr Komers, Jaci Maxwell, Suzanne Leacock, Joanne Muckle, Julie Huston, Ellie Picket, and all of the kid’s soccer coaches.

Heavy Hitters and Teen Leaders

Evan S. and Finlay D.

These two show up whenever the call for event volunteers goes out, they always come to their shifts with great attitudes and willingness to help, even when it means cleaning out cupboards. Evan and Finlay, you should be proud. Having teenagers on our team when adolescence offers so much more to be interested in is a huge achievement.

Family Volunteering

The Knight/Svoboda family - Shelina, Marcin, King and Frankie

An extra special thank you to Shelina who encouraged me to introduce more family volunteering opportunities in 2024 and worked so hard to recruit families to fill the shifts.

The Save the Pool Crew

Bob Swan, Fiona Mackenzie, Marina Ortman, and Lonnie Starling

Although this particular bit of community activism and volunteerism was not related to the ICA, there is no question that these four people and more took on the huge task of keeping our beloved pool open for the betterment of all Inglewoodians, a beautiful example of grassroots advocacy and activism in action.

The Under 10s

Finley C., Ayla C., Kinga S., Frankie S., Helen K., Sam K., Bennett M., and Reid J.

Our youngest volunteers are getting in the habit of community engagement early, way to go kiddos!

Youth Haunted House Planning Committee

Rowan W., Cayden J., Aivan K., Kalina D., Maddie S., Cullum DW., and Chloe.

This team of 9, 10, and 11 year olds met every Friday for 6 weeks last fall to plan, design and execute one of our Halloween favourites, the haunted house.

Inglewood Achievement Award

Lonnie Starling

Lonnie has been an active volunteer in Inglewood since she moved to our community in 2012. In her time here she has contributed in the following ways:

• Newsletter delivery coordinator

• ICA Merchant’s Discount Coordinator

• Fundraiser for the CWS Kitchen Party for 3 years (not the ICA, but still important)

• Contributed to the construction of the updated ICA playground

• ICA board member as volunteer coordinator

• Volunteer at ICA party events i.e. Halloween, Christmas, and Winter Carnival for 10+ years

• Volunteer at River Cleanup since 2013

• Core member of the 'Save the Pool' committee that extended the life of the Inglewood Aquatic Centre

Personally, Lonnie is someone I know I can call on for help, a hug or a smile when I need it. The community is better with you in it, Lonnie, thank you!

Our gratitude now and always to all our volunteers. You rock!