Anita Bergstrom is an employee of Ontario Power Generation at the Pickering Nuclear Plant. She is a mother and a strong advocate and educator for the Allergy Asthma Information Association. Her son Spencer has a deathly peanut/nut allergy and she realized that the most important preventative measure is to educate people in the community.

She began educating her son's school, R.H. Cornish Public School in Port Perry through speaking engagements with teachers and students and by posting literature and signage. Today the school no longer allows peanut products to be brought into the classroom. "The environment will never be peanut free but it can be a lot safer. If a child ate peanut butter and toast that morning and didn't wash their hands or brush their teeth there is still a chance of an incident." says Anita. Spencer must always carry his epipen to avoid a life threatening situation.

As a parent advisor Anita also volunteers to work with the School Council Committee because she feels it is important to support the school system in the community where you live.

Anita is the chairperson of the fundraising committee of the Allergy Asthma Information Association of Canada for the Whitby 10k run/walk. For three straight years she has provided the leadership to raise over $60k with all proceeds going back to the association for education and research. In the first year 150 runners came out and by the 3rd year a whopping 400 people showed up. She organized vendors including; Doctors from Allergy Immunology Specialist, Pharmaceutical Companies, Epipen suppliers and medical vendors to educate and keep parents informed. This forum creates a special time for parents to share their stresses, and share questions and answers with other people going through the same nightmare of living with the daily risk of your child's life-threatening allergy. And don't doubt that there isn't stress involved. That's why Anita also volunteers as a contact person for the Help Line for the Allergy, Asthma, Information Association, a Canadian charity dedicated to helping allergic individuals and their families cope with everything from the sniffles and sneezes of allergic rhinitis to life-threatening allergies and asthma.

Congratulations Anita!

Bert began volunteering at an early age with his father, helping to do work at the London Ontario Beagle Club. They helped to prepare the property to be used for field trials, this club still exists, these 40 years later.

He has acted in the capacity of Civilian Instructor for the Air Cadet squadron in North Bay back in the late 1970s and also with the Army Cadets in Thessalon, Ont. and Air Cadets in Blind River. Bert gave instruction to the cadets in field craft, map reading, orienteering, survival training, aeronautical principals and model building.

While living in Iron Bridge he had the chance to join the local Volunteer Fire Brigade and spent about 11 years with them, until Hydro moved him to New Liskeard. Bert served in various capacities from fire fighter to fire chief. Bert thought the fire fighters to enhance their ability to reduce damage done by fire to people's homes. The dedicated work by this 20 person crew, had achieved great strides in efficiency and ability.

In addition to working with the fire department, he also gave his time as a village Councilor and Deputy Reeve. This position involved setting policy for operation of the Village of Iron Bridge. He is proud of the many bylaws that he wrote and rewrote for the benefit of the villagers

Since moving to New Liskeard, Bert has served in all the executive positions of the Temiskaming and Region Model Aircraft Club. Bert has been a member for 10 years and helps with maintenance of the field and clubhouse. He also helps organize the various events that the club carries out each year and the flying demonstrations that they perform around the district.

Bert and his wife have been attending the Cobalt Classic Theatre for as long as they have lived in New Liskeard. A few years ago they tried out for parts in a locally produced play at the Classic and have since performed in three different plays.

Bert took the opportunity to become a member of the Board of Directors and is presently the Vice Chairman of the Board. He also acts as the Board liaison to the lighting and sound technical committee, is a member of the marketing committee and is on the executive committee. He is the health and safety advisor and structure technical advisor for the theatre.

Bert derives a great deal of pleasure from all of this and is proud of his many accomplishments. He is pleased to be able to say that he has given a lot back to the many communities that he has called home.

Congratulations Bert

Brenda Brown is a Customer Service Representative at London Hydro. She is married to Paul and they have a daughter Jessica and two foster daughters Larissa and Michaela. Brenda and Paul have been fostering for over four years now.

Brenda started volunteering with Girl Guides in September 2000 when Jessica was in Brownies. After two years of Brownies she moved up to Girl Guides with Jessica and became a Girl Guide leader. She was a Girl Guide leader for five years and is now a Pathfinder leader. Jessica is now a 3rd year Pathfinder, Larissa is a 2nd year Girl Guide and Michaela is a first year Girl Guide.

She has done so many things that she probably would not have done through guiding over the eight years. She has taken the Girl Guides to Horseback Camp, camped overnight at the Toronto Zoo and the Ontario Science Centre. They have gone skiing, sailing, to a chicken farm and a dairy farm. They have made a lot of friends through Guiding and I look forward to meeting many more. It is very rewarding in many ways.

Congratulations Brenda

Marlene has always been a volunteer who sees no bounds in her desire to help in any way she can.

Over 30 years ago, Marlene started with Ontario Hydro at the Penetang Area Office. Right away she started helping with the organizing of the Christmas parties, retirement parties and children activity days. Marlene did this every year until she retired.

She is also very active as a volunteer in her community of Penetanguishene. Her impact was so great that they honoured her with the title of Volunteer of the Year.

A few years later the Penetanguishene Sports Hall of Fame Committee accepted her nomination in the builder category for her work with the figure Skating Club. Her picture is in the Hall of Fame with none other than Brian Orser.

Even with these accomplishments Marlene continues to be an active volunteer in her town on the following committees: Friends of the Arena Fund Raising Committee, The Heritage Committee and is Secretary/Treasurer of the Angle Gate Bingo Association.

Marlene has great compassion for the people of Penetanguishene, every time there is a death in the town she is the first one there to help out with food for the bereaved family.

On top of all this, for the past 7 years she has been the secretary for the Georgian Bay District Hydro Retirees. She volunteers to help with all the organizing of all their annual functions, spring luncheon at Rama Casino, lunch and play at King's Wharf in Penetang, Sequin Board Ride, horse racing and dinner at Georgian Downs. Marlene also makes sure that there is a small gift for everyone in attendance.

Congratulations Marlene