Getting Involved in Your Community

• Nominee must be a current resident of Wilmot Township
• Officers of the corporation (a person appointed by council) and elected officials are not eligible
• Nominee can be individuals, teams, or organizations 
• Consideration for nomination is based on the performance, achievements, demonstrated leadership qualities, and community participation of the nominees within one calendar year (since last June 19, 2021) 
  • Performance – competitor results at the various levels of competition 
  • Achievement - rankings, awards, quality and quantity of accomplishments that nominees have achieved 
  • Leadership Qualities – Nominee must have exhibited some/all of the following positive qualities within the sport and community: 
    • Teamwork  
    • Pride  
    • Character  
    • Attitude  
    • Ethics  
    • Dedication  
    • Enthusiasm  
    • Perseverance  
    • Integrity  
    • Sacrifice 
    • Honesty  

• Community Involvement – consideration is also given to demonstrated involvement and leadership within the sport as well as volunteer activities within the nominees’ community 

• Nominee must be a current resident of Wilmot Township
• Officers of the corporation (a person appointed by council) and elected officials are not eligible
• Nominee can be individuals or organizations 
• Nominee has provided an outstanding contribution to the Township of Wilmot community by organizing and/or participating in projects/events/activities which have has a positive purpose and benefit to the community  
• Nominee has showed outstanding achievement in a specific field, including but not limited to education, environmental, community engagement, public welfare, leadership, and civic responsibility 
• Nominee may have demonstrated participation through volunteering, in kind service or contribution which is not in a paid capacity 

• Nominee must be a current resident of Wilmot Township
• Officers of the corporation (a person appointed by council) and elected officials are not eligible
• Nominee can be individuals or organizations
• Nominee may have demonstrated participation through volunteering, in kind service or contribution which is not in a paid capacity 
• Nominee has made outstanding contributions to the community through Cultural activities/events 

• Nominee must be a current resident of Wilmot Township
• Officers of the corporation (a person appointed by council) and elected officials are not eligible
• Nominee can be individuals or organizations
• Nominee may have demonstrated participation through volunteering, in kind service or contribution which is not in a paid capacity. They may serve on service, school, church, or community committees  
• Nominee is enthusiastic about the Township and its citizens and works continually towards the betterment of the community 

• Nominee must be a current resident of Wilmot Township
• Officers of the corporation (a person appointed by council) and elected officials are not eligible
• Nominee can be individuals or organizations
• Nominee may have demonstrated participation through volunteering, in kind service or contribution which is not in a paid capacity 
• Nominee is an inspirational role model for youth in the community 
• Nominee has demonstrated dedication to community and school with a strong sense of caring and responsibility 

Bernie Shantz is a longstanding and valued supporter of sports in the Township of Wilmot and the greater Province of Ontario.

Having been awarded the OHA Crystal Puck in 2013, Shantz was recently honoured by the OHA with their Gold Stick Award in 2021. The Gold Stick is an order of merit in hockey, awarded by the OHA for outstanding service to the game other than as a player. This is a significant Provincial honour for this quiet and humble resident of Wilmot.

Shantz involvement in Wilmot sports, and in particular the minor hockey and Junior C hockey in New Hamburg dates back over 40 years and he has served in many capacities with the New Hamburg Spirit of '83 and the New Hamburg Firebirds including Director, President, Governor, General Manager and in his role as Past President.

In a press release on the OHA Gold Stick Award Firebirds' current President Gord Mills described Shantz as someone whose focuses is on player growth and experience. Mills said Shantz takes great pride when a former player comes back to New Hamburg and reminisces about a great experience he had as a member of our team.

The OHA 2021 Gold Stick Video can be seen here. 

If you have gone through the Youth Bowling Canada (YBC) program since the 80's, chances are Marcella Habermehl has been your bowling coach. She has been a youth bowling coach in New Hamburg for over 30 years.

A teacher, adviser, mentor, and coach, Habermehl always recognized the importance of developing individual potential and performance on the lanes. She is well known for her sense of fun always bringing special treats to celebrate holidays with the kids during the year. In addition to coaching and fund raising, over the years Habermehl has organized adult leagues too. She has been able to watch the YBC kids she coached develop into youth coaches themselves.

Today, Habermehl can be found on the lanes bowling with the YBC bowlers at tournaments and continually helps them to have fun while developing their own skills whilst inspiring others on their teams to do the same. She has given her heart and soul to this sport for generations.

Victoria Bowes or Tori, as she is known, is a competitive athlete for Cheer Sport Sharks. She has been on a worlds team and came first place in Worlds this year (2022). Before cheer Bowes was a competitive gymnast. She continues to work hard to further develop her athletic ability through swimming and working towards her lifeguard and swimming instructor certification.

Hard working and dedicated, Bowes is not only a great athlete but she is a humble, caring, and well-rounded individual. She is a team player and is always supporting her teammates and encouraging them to do their best.

When one thinks of Bill and Jill Fleming of New Hamburg the first thing that comes to mind is community service.

As a small business couple with big hearts, the Flemings are constant and dedicated supporters and sponsors of community events and fundraisers. They are supportive hosts for local schools, service clubs, and community events.

It would be a rare Saturday that a local charity, service club or minor sports team has not been welcomed to hold their fundraising event in front of their store. These actions demonstrate their love for building community throughout the Township.

Maureen Edwards has given her time and energy to the community in many ways, over many years.

Edwards has been the co-chair of the Baden Community Association since its inception in 2012 and is also a member of the Wilmot Horticultural Society. Responsible for the gardens at Wilmot’s Castle Kilbride, the garden at Foundry Street Parkette, and Livingston Boulevard, Edwards is passionate about giving through gardening.

Community focused, Edwards also volunteers at least twice a week at the New Hamburg Thrift Store and has volunteered at the Wilmot Resource Centre Food Bank.

Mark Weber is a long-term Wilmot resident that has given so much to the Township. You will see him at many local community events volunteering his time so residents can have a good time.

A proud husband, father and volunteer, Weber is a loyal Legion member and the President of the New Hamburg Optimists…he is the guy that helps anyone in need with a smile on his face.

The Lindner Family would like to nominate Leon Bender for his role within the community of Wilmot. When my mom, Marilyn, asked me if I could write something up on everything Leon does for his community, I jumped at the chance but soon realized there is only so much room on a page for it all.

When thinking of Leon, this man, who I have had the privilege of knowing my whole life, one of the best neighbours you could ever ask for, is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve and will do anything and everything for anyone, no questions asked.

When things really started to go downhill for my dad, Albert, he stepped up to the plate. We did not have to ask, he just did it. From snow removal, mowing the grass, to even the small home repair that was needed. When dad passed, Leon continued all of this for mom and other neighbours on their street who are not able to do so for themselves.

The last couple of years, as Leon should be enjoying retirement, he has devoted so much time and energy to the Mark Jutzi Funeral Home. I still say he found his calling too late in life because it takes a special, compassionate, and warm-hearted person when you are experiencing some of the worst days of your life to help guide you through. Leon has been this person.

Leon has set forth an example not just to his own children, Kelly, and Darryl, who themselves give back, but his example has definitely reached myself and my brother Steve as well. He has shown us, that even the smallest, simplest things can go a long way - from visiting with those that walk by, to inviting the elderly or lonely to come dine with him and his wife Elaine. Leon looks at the community as just one big happy extended family and you can bet that’s exactly how you will be treated when in his presence.

A volunteer run organization, first formed in 1984 at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Hamburg, the Trinity Community Players, over time, became The Community Players or more affectionately known as the TCP.

The passion of the entire organization in staging large scale musicals and small stage dramas is truly inspiring and highlights the strength of the organization and the community. Culture is alive and well in Wilmot Township thanks to the efforts of the entire TCP organization.

The value of TCP to the community and the wider Region was highlighted this year with the Provincial announcement of a $4.1 M investment in the retrofit and renovation of the New Hamburg Arena to create dedicated space for TCP to ensure their success for many years to come.

Crow Shield Lodge is located in New Hamburg and is built on the Indigenous pillars of Education, Healing, Reconciliation and Land Stewardship. It provides access to Indigenous culture, creating the space for meaningful reconciliation between settlers, and Indigenous people on Turtle Island.

Ben Willsteed, an Indigenous member of the Wilmot community, is a Fire Keeper at Crow Shield Lodge. He keeps the fire burning, creating the opportunity for settlers to continually learn about the First Peoples’ culture and land stewardship. Willsteed’s culture is reflected in his way of life and the celebration of his heritage and ancestors.
Willlsteed and Crow Shield Lodge have created an incredible space to learn the diverse culture of Indigenous peoples in Wilmot and across Turtle Island. 

During the pandemic, Gail McMullen has been a volunteering powerhouse. When she learned that some of Wilmot’s service groups were struggling to fundraise, Gail forged partnerships with them so they could continue to support the community. She said, “How were they making money to hold themselves together, all through COVID? They couldn’t do fundraisers on their own.”

As a member of the New Hamburg Legion’s Ways and Means committee, Gail has overseen activities in the Legion’s kitchen for many years, donating her considerable culinary skills for fundraisers, including those for community partners.

These include the Wilmot Lions/Lioness Club’s drive-thru sausage dinner, the Optimist Club of Wilmot’s pot pie event, a spaghetti dinner and a cabbage roll dinner with the Lions, and a roast beef dinner with the Petersburg Optimists.

The Optimist Club of Petersburg’s president Warren Bechtold is grateful for Gail’s contributions to his organization. “She does a phenomenal job,” he said. “I don’t think any of the service clubs could do the meals if it wasn’t for the effort that Gail puts in. As a volunteer, she goes so far out of her way to help everybody else. I can’t stress enough the effort that she puts in to help everybody else be successful.”

For joint dining events, Gail prepares the service clubs’ work schedule for volunteers, and picks up several carloads of groceries herself.

She joined New Hamburg Branch 532 in 1998 to honour her family’s history of military service. She said, “I volunteer at the Legion because my father lost his arm in the war. There were eight boys in the family, and four of them served, so that is exactly why I am here. I’ve been basically cooking since I joined.”

Gail’s love of the kitchen began at an early age. Raised on a farm, she’s been cooking since she was 12 years old.

Now, she enjoys sharing her cooking expertise within the Morningside subdivision where she lives with her common law partner, Robin Everall. Over the past two years, $2,000 has been donated from a soup fundraiser in their community. Proceeds have gone to the Wilmot Family Resource Centre and the Parkwood Institute in London, which provides medical care for veterans.

She said, “My dad was in there for the longest time. I can remember as a child Dad having to go down there and get his arm fixed.”

A few Legion branches in Canada have closed due to the pandemic, but Gail McMullen has been instrumental in helping New Hamburg’s to thrive.

Every year the Kitchener-Waterloo Art gallery selects the artwork from students across Waterloo Region and highlights the perspective and experiences of young artists in the community. Selena Erb's moving artwork was featured here.

Erb’s talent and passion is clearly evident. Her piece evokes emotion and is a deep reflection of Indigenous children being recovered from residential schools across Canada.

This young artist is an inspiration to youth across the community for her commitment to ally-ship and reconciliation.

Abigail MacKinnon has been a devoted member of Wilmot's Youth Action Council for the past three years. MacKinnon's transition from a quiet, reserved leader to a confident, communicative leader has allowed for increased communication and facilitation within the program.

Her dedication to creating fun and interesting events for Youth in Wilmot has set her apart from her peers. The painting of the Pride Walkway at the Wilmot Recreation Complex is just one example of how MacKinnon work with a wonderful youth team to create positive change in our community.