Still ‘Strong as Stone’ in St. Marys

Six St. Marys residents were recognized during the recent National Volunteer Week for being as “Strong as Stone.”

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Launched in 2021, this now-annual program shines a light on community members who have gone that extra mile through their volunteering to make the St. Marys community stronger.

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“It’s something that originated during COVID when people were doing so many selfless deeds,” said Brett O’Reilly, St. Marys’ corporate communications manager. “Things were sort of a bit dark for a while there, and we really wanted to take an opportunity to publicly recognize all the hard work that people were doing.”
Three years later, there are six new St. Marys volunteers being celebrated through the Strong as Stone program.

Cindy Bilyea was recognized for chairing the boards of several organizations, including St. Marys Minor Hockey, Quadro Communications and the St. Marys Healthcare Foundation.

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Daniel Greig, a local teen, was celebrated for his work in student council at St. Marys District Collegiate and Professional Institute, as well as his extensive volunteering in the community.

Ine Keller was applauded for her enthusiastic and inspirational volunteer work teaching fitness and falls prevention to seniors.

Jeff Sager, a pastor, was acknowledged for his work with local firefighters and for his involvement with the Evan’s Touch-the-Truck event and mock community disasters.

Pam Zabel, who was nominated twice, was lauded for her work with the Coldest Night of the Year, her time on advisory and fundraising committees, and her contributions to local causes.

Phylis Spearin, this year’s final recipient, was honored for more than five decades of giving back to the community as part of the St. Marys Kinette Club.

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“We are incredibly grateful to this generous group of individuals for giving their time, effort and energy to others,”St. Marys Mayor Al Strathdee said in a press release. “Their actions truly embody the Stonetown spirit.”

Nominations were open from April 2023 to March 1 of this year. From the eight nominations, an internal committee narrowed the list to these six, who were officially recognized at last week’s town council meeting.

Nominations for next year’s Strong as Stone program should open in February 2025 and the official announcement will be made during National Volunteer Week. The town will announce when the nominations open through social media and on its website at forms.townofstmarys.com/Strong-As-Stone-recognition.

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“We really couldn’t do some of the amazing things we do in the community without (these volunteers),” O’Reilly said.

“We really want to take an opportunity to recognize those people as a way of thanking them for their contributions, but also to build awareness about all the great volunteer opportunities that are available at St. Marys.”

In order to nominate someone, that individual must be a resident of, or live near, St. Marys and meet at least one of the following criteria: provide extraordinary volunteer work to families or groups in St Marys, continually volunteer to improve quality of life in St. Marys, or have been a part of a volunteer project that has had a lasting effect on St. Marys.

People aren’t permitted to nominate themselves. Elected officials are also excluded from the program.

Nominations are then reviewed by an internal committee including O’Reilly as the leader, a clerk who acts as a liaison to council, and Jenny McCarthy, who co-ordinates volunteers for the town. Strathdee and Coun. Fern Pridham are also current members of the committee.

“The only time we have to decline a nomination is . . . if that person is being compensated for that work because (the program is) really an opportunity to celebrate volunteers and people who are giving of their time freely,” said O’Reilly.

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