When actor Robin Williams took over the microphone to star as disc jockey Adrian Cronauer in the 1987 film “Good Morning, Vietnam”, little did his character know just what was in store for him as a radio personality sent to entertain military troops in south Vietnam. The movie portrayed Cronauer as a man who felt frustrated by and impotent against the forces of war and politics. Nonetheless he strove to entertain his audience and, during his time off-the-air, help others as best he could, bringing people light and insight during an otherwise confusing and chaotic time.
Former Ontario lieutenant governor James Bartleman was in town recently for an Xstrata lecture at Laurentian University, shedding a light of his own on the plight of Aboriginals in northern Ontario. Well acquainted with the various levels of government and ways to go about getting funding for numerous worthy causes, Bartleman eschews clawing his way through red tape in favour of using volunteers, something he has learned that is far simpler and far more effective than any government-directed initiative. The power of people — those who volunteer at a moment’s notice and who are committed to a cause long-term — is something that can never be underestimated.
Bartleman uses the power of volunteers to help bring books and literacy programs to the beleaguered Aboriginals of northern Ontario.
Last month Northern Life hosted the fifth annual Community Builders’ Awards and celebrated those folks who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help others where they live, work and play.
Throughout the evening we “got up close and personal” with people such as Mark Palumbo, a tireless promoter of the arts and founding member of Music and Film in Motion; the dynamic students who make up Confederation Secondary School’s Evolutionary band; economic visionary and NORCAT founding CEO Darryl Lake; the enthusiastic members of the Sudbury chapter of Women in Science and Engineering (WISE); the re-greening champions who belong to VETAC; paediatric oncology nurse Sylvie Kozlowskj; local hockey guru Gerry McCrory; and the ever-benevolent Lougheed family.
It was a phenomenal, tear-jerking evening that reaffirmed to the more than 500 participants that volunteerism is alive and well in the heart of Greater Sudbury. It is a force that ripples throughout our community and beyond.
Enduring volunteers will tell you that this positive result comes from individual commitment and hard work. Meaningful volunteer work comes from the heart and is given tirelessly and without expectation. And the beauty of it all is that volunteers, by default, shed light and hope for others who so desperately need a helping hand.
Wendy Bird is managing editor of Northern Life.
