WHEREAS, 2026 represents the 143rd anniversary of the establishment of Saint John Ambulance in Ontario; and
WHEREAS, The York Simcoe Muskoka Region of St. John Ambulance has been serving its communities and fulfilling our mission to enable Canadians to improve their health, safety and quality of life by providing training and community service; and
WHEREAS, St. John Ambulance is an integral part of the community, offering unique and innovative programs, including medical first response, free Mass CPR training, disaster response, car seat education clinics, health & safety related youth programs and therapy dog services; and
WHEREAS, Last year, the 620 volunteers of the Region provided the community with approximately 60,000 hours of volunteer services; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, the volunteers from four (4) Medical First Response units attended 500 events, treated 124 casualties, and contributed over 20,000 hours of volunteer service; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, the Dog Handlers and their dogs from six Therapy Dog Units contributed over 30,000 hours of volunteer service, completing 1,660 in-person visits to 129 facilities including seniors’ residences, hospitals, and schools in our area, providing giving over 5,310 hours of service.
WHEREAS, in 2025, four Youth Units provided a forum to teach youth about becoming better citizens, while developing leadership skills and contributed over 650 volunteer hours; and
WHEREAS, in 2025, members of two Car Seat Education Teams educated 97 parents and caregivers on the proper way to install car seats and contributed over 1,200 volunteer hours.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Yvonne Hamlin, Mayor of the Town of Collingwood,
DO HEREBY PROCLAIM June 21st to 27th , 2026, as “St. John Ambulance Week” in the Town of Collingwood.
Dated this 21st day of June 2026.