MELDRUM BAY—“There are a lot of newcomers that have moved to Manitoulin Island in recent years,” said Anne Steele-Giffin. “I would recommend that they contact a board or group and volunteer their time to a community group or activity. It is the best way to benefit your community, meet new people and make new friends.”
Ms. Steele-Giffin recently decided to move from her home in Gore Bay to the Steele family home in Meldrum Bay. “I love Meldrum Bay; it is so peaceful. I am selling my house in Gore Bay and moving here on a permanent basis.”
Ms. Steele-Giffin is a member of the Dawson Citizens Improvement Association (DCIA) board, having joined a couple of years ago.
She also volunteered for Gore Bay Child Care after working in the agency for many years. “We started the Gore Bay Child Care in 2007,” said Ms. Steele-Giffin. She worked for years as an assistant supervisor and as a pedagogical lead, retiring from Gore Bay Child Care in 2019. “But I came back to volunteer as a member of the board and have done so since 2020, having served as chair for a year-and-a-half. I like being a member of the board and assisting the organization.”
“I have been a member of the DCIA board for two-and-a-half years,” said Ms. Steele-Giffin. She explained there are seven members of the board. “Since there is no government council here, the DCIA does the job a town clerk or town staff would do for the community. We run the marina, Breakwater Park Campground (which has 17 sites) and the (Meldrum Bay) Community Hall.”
“It can be a lot of work, but I get to work with great people that volunteer their time, in helping to maintain all three sites, and for instance cooking at special events,” said Ms. Steele-Giffin. “As a board we hire the marina manager and people to run the campgrounds.”
“We are hoping that with the marina it will hopefully be busier this year with COVID seemingly over,” said Ms. Steele-Giffin.
“I feel volunteering in your community is important,” said Ms. Steele-Giffin. “It is sometimes difficult getting enough people to serve on a board. Yes, it can be time consuming, especially for a small group of people because there are fewer people to do all the work, but it is gratifying to help out and know that you are helping the community.”
“Most of the time we meet monthly. But DCIA is much more hands on than a lot of groups because we have the marina, hall and campgrounds,” said Ms. Steele-Giffin. “I certainly enjoy being a volunteer. It is nice to be around people who have the same vision, commitment and interest in common.”
“Volunteering gives you the chance to do something for the community, that benefits the community,” added Ms. Steele-Giffin.
