Yorkregion.com - Whitchurch-Stouffville - Top volunteer keeps giving back
Top volunteer keeps giving back
Stouffville policing centre volunteer of the year Wendy Cartwright is also an auxiliary police officer. The Main Street centre, which opened in 2000, is looking for more people to volunteer.
Whitchurch-Stouffville
May 08, 2008 11:26 PM
By: Alyshia Higgins
Giving back would have been enough for Wendy Cartwright.
But the Stouffville resident has been rewarded and named volunteer of the year by the Stouffville Community Policing Centre.
Ms Cartwright has been a volunteer with the centre for several years and a York Regional Police auxiliary officer for five.
“The people who have received this award in the past have done a tremendous amount of work, so I feel very honoured to be in that category with them,” she said.
Ms Cartwright’s efforts are appreciated, centre chairperson Joanne Iannuzzi said.
“After she became an auxiliary constable, she continued to promote the policing centre to residents and auxiliary constables,” she said.
Ms Cartwright has held board and administrative positions with the centre.
“Last year, she provided orientation to almost all the auxiliary constables in 5 District (Markham and Stouffville) and was instrumental in setting up our new web sign-up link, so everyone can sign up for shifts and events at their convenience,” Ms Iannuzzi added.
The centre was established in 2000 and is in the train station. It is run in conjunction with York police.
“York Regional Police take care of you, no matter what kind of trouble you’re in,” Ms Iannuzzi said. “It’s unfortunate that in some countries, the police aren’t as honourable as they are here.”
She reminds you the centre is open to help with any concerns or issues.
““Everything is kept confidential here,” she said. “We’re really well connected and I don’t think many people realize that.”
The centre offers many programs, including community call-backs, road watch, sport nights, tours, and community alerts and media releases.
The centre is always looking for volunteers.
“Every time you come in here, you get the chance to help somebody,” she said.
Ms Cartwright agrees.
“When you give to the community, you get back 100 fold,” she said.
“It’s so important to give back (to the community).”
For more information about the centre’s programs, initiatives and volunteer opportunities, call 905-640-4248.