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 ten annual community tree plantings and eight 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. >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 (SPOHT), 2000 to 2006 Valerie was the 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. SPOHT hosts the Thornhill Village Festival each year and Valerie has been very supportive of it. Click here for more on SPOHT |
Ward 1 (South) Thornhill Residents Inc. 2001 to 2006 Valerie was 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 |
Communities In Bloom 2005 Communities in Bloom Judges Tour. |
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Landscape Planting in the Thornhill Community: |
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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. |
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Other Volunteer Work: President "Markham Talk of the Town" Toastmasters: 2004-2005 Chair of the Animal Care Committee: 2006 to Present 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. |