WHEREAS, 2023 represents the 82st anniversary of the establishment of the Barrie Simcoe Muskoka Branch of St. John Ambulance; and
WHEREAS, the Barrie Simcoe Muskoka Branch of St. John Ambulance has been serving the community since 1941, 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, disaster response, car seat installation clinics, health & safety related youth programs and therapy dog services; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, the 123 volunteers of the Branch provided the community with approximately 11,570 hours of volunteer services; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, 49 Medical First Response volunteers contributed over 5502 hours of volunteer service; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, 47 Therapy Dog Handlers and their dogs contributed over 2793 hours of volunteer service, completing in-person and virtual visits to 18 facilities including seniors’ residences, hospitals, and schools; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, five Youth volunteers learned about becoming better citizens, while developing leadership skills; and
WHEREAS, in 2022, eight Car Seat Safety Team members educated parents and caregivers on the proper way to install car seats and contributed over 566 volunteer hours.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Yvonne Hamlin, Mayor of the Town of Collingwood,
DO HEREBY PROCLAIM June 19, 2023 to June 25, 2023 as “St. John Ambulance Week” in the Town of Collingwood