My Volunteer Work for the Community:

Pomona Mills Park Conservationists:
In 1999 I co-founded a group called the "Pomona Mills Park Conservationists" with Dr. Ann Fowle. Our volunteer group adopted the park and has organized six annual community tree plantings and several community clean-ups. We co-hosted the 3rd annual Thornhill Environment Day along with the 5th Thornhill Scouts. We work with the Town of Markham/Toronto Region Conservation Authority to have park improvements such as the extension of the path over the boardwalk connecting the valley with Pomona Mills Meadow. The Park now has a Western access.

This year we picked up 83 bags of litter and organized a "meadow planting" of native wildflowers in Pomona Mills Meadow.
Click here for more on Pomona Mills Park Conservationists.
 
Saving Pomona Mills Meadow:
In 2001, I led the community in the challenge to protect the 2-acre meadow in the heart of the heritage conservation district and have it attached to Pomona Mills Park. Working with the community, the Town of Markham staff and St. Vladimir's Church, we protected the Meadow from development and saved it for the enjoyment of all Thornhill residents. It has now been linked to the park with a path, boardwalk and bridge.
 
Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill
(S.P.O.H.T.), 2000 to Present
Valerie is currently Vice-President.
SPOHT was founded in 1974, following the rapid urbanization of the once rural community. Residents wanted a medium through which they might preserve the diappearing architectural heritage of Thornhill.
Click here for more on
S.P.O.H.T.
Valerie with Society for the Preservation of Historic Thornhill executive members (from left), Gwyn Wojna, Bill Wylie, Vivian Wylie and David Rawcliffe. Valerie will fight to protect stable neighbourhoods from inappropriate development.
 

Ward 1 (South) Thornhill Residents Inc., 2001 to Present
Valerie is currently Vice-President.
The purpose of the organization is to preserve the unique historic and natural character of the immediate area as well as being a voice for the popular issues and to the various forms of government with jurisdiction over the area.

Ward 1 (South) Thornhill Residents Inc. is an organization made up of interested residents of the area bounded approximately by Yonge Street to the west, Bayview Avenue to the east, the CN Railroad tracks to the south and the Toronto Ladies' Golf Club to the north. This is all located in Ward 1 of the Town of Markham, Ontario.
Click here for more on

Ward 1 (South) Thornhill Residents Inc.
 
Communities In Bloom:
2005 Communities in Bloom Judges Tour.
 
Landscape Planting in the Thornhill Community:
Valerie hard at work beautifying the corner of John Street and Henderson Avenue.
 
Markham Conservation Committee:
From 2000 to 2003 I have served on the Markham Conservation Committee along with Ward 2 Councillor Erin Shapero , Regional Councillor Jack Heath, and Regional Councillor Tony Wong. I was a member of the Town of Markham Pesticide Reduction Steering Committee, which focused on educating residents of Markham about how they could reduce the use of cosmetic pesticides. I was chosen to represent Markham on the York Region Pesticide Reduction Task Force in 2002.
 
Yonge Street Revitalization:
I am a founding member of the Yonge Street Revitalization Group (Thornhill Main Street Study). Since 2001 we have been working with a consultant, the town of Markham, the city of Vaughan and the YRTP (York Region Transit Plan) committee to revitalize the street and integrate it with the rapid transit plan for Yonge Street.

 

Other Volunteer Work:

Past President "Markham Talk of the Town" Toastmasters: 2005-2006

Member of the Animal Care Committee

Presented at the Ontario Municipal Board Hearing

Doors Open Markham Volunteer

Communities on Bloom Volunteer

St. Anthony's Catholic School: Classroom Volunteer (4 yrs)

Brownies: Pack Leader (1 yr)

Brownies: Helper (2 yrs)

Richmond Hill Figure Skating Club:
Volunteer for sewing costumes for annual show (2 years)

Out of the Cold: 2001 to Present

Oak Ridges Moraine Protection (2000 - 2002): Volunteered to flyer, canvas and attend meetings to help save the Oak Ridges Moraine.

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