October 23, 2008

GUELPH, ON.  -- Incredible things happen when 270 co-operators join together for a common cause.

Record-breaking attendance at the annual Co-op Conference and Gala was almost overshadowed by a record-breaking fundraising amount.  For the first time ever, $10,000 was raised to support Co-operative Young Leaders (CYL), a leadership camp operated by the Ontario Co-operative Association. 

Participants in the eighth annual conference, held October 15th at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington took part in professional development sessions and workshops and in the evening attended a heart-warming tenth anniversary Co-op Spirit Recognition Awards celebration. 

Co-operators continuously outbid each other on 160 silent auction items throughout the morning and afternoon.  Yet there was electricity in the air as friendly but ferocious bidding took place during the evening’s  live auction on items ranging from a northern Ontario weekend getaway to Inuit art.  The silent and live auctions, plus proceeds from a 50/50 draw, raised more than $9,400.  A surprise top-up donation from The Co-operators brought the fundraising total to an amazing $10,000 – easily surpassing last year’s record by almost $3,000.

Each of the nine new Award recipients was recognized in words and video for their co-op achievements before being presented with their Award.  The 2008 recipients of Co-operative Spirit Recognition Awards are:

• Gillian Eyre, Shoreline Co-operative Preschool, Distinguished Co-operator Award;
• Claude Gauthier, GROWMARK Inc., Distinguished Co-operator Award; 
• André Brisebois, Sketch Orléans, Youth Leader Award;
• Marion Wright, Calculated Success, Special Recognition Award;
• The Honourable Ted McMeekin, Minister of Government Services, Outstanding Contribution to the Ontario Co-operative Association Award;
• Gay Lea Foods Co-operative, Youth Mentor Award;
• Carolyn Lemon, Common Ground Co-op, Co-operative Innovator Award;
• River Village Co-op Market, New Co-operative of Distinction Award; and
• Guelph Campus Co-op, Co-operative Social Responsibility Award.

More information on each past and present Award recipient can be found at www.ontario.coop/Spirit. 

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