Volunteers…the
Builders of our Community
A
profile of Roly and Elaine Rees
When
you ask anyone about Roly and Elaine Rees, one word comes up again
and again – commitment. Commitment to the many organizations that they support;
commitment to the community at large.
The Rees' are a shining example of what volunteerism and
service to community is all about. They have also made the ultimate
commitment to St.
Mary’s General Hospital by leaving a bequest in their wills for
its Foundation.
The
Rees' moved to the area in 1956 and enjoy living here in Waterloo
Region. Roly
retired nine years ago, having worked for 34 years with IBM,
servicing and repairing computers.
He can recall the introduction of the computer and has been a
first hand witness to its development over the years.
“I remember when businesses used punch cards,” Roly
recalls. “Times sure have changed.” Elaine taught for 34 years
as a teacher and librarian here in Kitchener-Waterloo, spending the
last 22 years as librarian at University Heights Secondary School.
Community
service and participation have always been important to the Rees'.
Roly has been involved with numerous organizations including
the Probus Club, the K-W Singers, the Retired Business and
Professionals Men’s Club, and the Cameron Heights Kiwanis Club.
One of the Kiwanis projects Roly volunteers for is in assisting with
the pick-up of seniors in a van twice a week, delivering them to and
from Victoria Public School for special programs and activities.
Elaine
has also been involved in community projects, including the
Oktoberfest Woman of the Year Award (of which she is a recipient),
the Millennium Committee, and others, and she is well known for her
political work. Elaine
has been actively involved in the political process, at all levels
of government, since the 1960s. She has worked on numerous
campaigns, but has never run for office.
“I like to be involved behind the scenes,” Elaine states,
“I don’t want the spotlight.”
Elaine
has received public recognition, however, for her tireless support
of many local organizations. In 1993 she was named K-W’s Citizen
of the Year, an honour which she accepts with characteristic
modesty.
The
couple’s support of St. Mary’s General Hospital has been
tremendous.
“St.
Mary’s is a special place,” says Elaine, “when you walk
through the halls, there is a special feeling of caring that is hard
to describe.” Elaine is a member of the Foundation’s Board of
Directors and for the last five years, has been an organizer of the
Festival of Trees, a fundraising project sponsored by the St.
Mary’s Hospital Volunteer Association.
Roly
and Elaine decided to strengthen their commitment to St. Mary’s by
making a bequest in their wills to the Foundation, over and above
their regular donations. “Making a will is not an easy thing,”
states Elaine, “but including a bequest to St. Mary’s made us
feel better about the process.” They realize the importance of
supporting St. Mary’s for the long-term. By making St. Mary’s a
beneficiary of their estate, they will enable the Foundation to
continue its work of supporting the mission of the Hospital well
into the future.
This
type of long-term support is a growing and crucial component of the
Foundation’s fundraising efforts and activities. Many people, like
Roly and Elaine, are taking the time to engage in thoughtful estate
planning that includes a bequest to St. Mary’s.
This gesture of caring and foresight will be the legacy they
leave to their community.
Roly
and Elaine Rees are truly builders of this community, and we at St.
Mary’s are lucky to have friends like them.
Please
consider leaving a bequest in your will for St. Mary’s.
It is an enduring expression of leadership and compassion.
You can make a difference and leave a lasting legacy of
caring that will improve the lives of future generations.
