Cindy Sommerville

Even though I’ve known Cindy for years I really got to know her more while exercising at the sTAYfit Centre in its early years. But let’s talk about her volunteer presence. At the time, it was called the Yard Sale room at the TCC. Cindy volunteered there during market hours and sometimes after her gym workout until we changed that room to include only books. Then Cindy worked on the donated books; organizing them, purging and stocking. People would drop off books in boxes and Cindy would sort through every one of them. We’ve shared a few  books that we purchased from the TCA book shelves eh Cindy, and to this day I am still amazed at her reading speed! Incredible. I’d love to know the number of books that woman has read!! LOL Cindy has been a great supporter of the TCA and the Taymouth Community Market for many years now and has volunteered at too many events to list. Then, several years ago the ticket table volunteer position came up and she was the first one we thought of. She said she’d give it a try but no promises, well, she’s still the morning shift person. She’s the market tote cleaner outer along with Utah. Cindy likes an uncluttered ticket table and we try to keep it that way for her. It can become overwhelming if we add to many fundraisers or posters. People don’t know where to look, so Cindy keeps it all organized and greets everyone with a smile and happily takes their money!!!  Ha ha, just kidding Cindy! Seriously, with the recent COVID changes we had to make some quick decisions for Saturday and Cindy was on board. You can always count on her to help out. She is kind, considerate, compassionate and willing to help. I love that the community and the TCA community is very important to her and she is extremely important to us here at the TCA.

Cindy is always available whenever needed and will do anything asked of her. She is always my first customer on market mornings!

So many books have gone in and out of the book room over the years, so many happy reading hours.  Behind the scenes Cindy has organized a vast volume of books and kept us content with all that great reading.  She supports the TCA continually with this effort and with the ongoing fundraising at the Saturday market ticket tables.  She has personally sold many tickets and has organized and scheduled other sellers.  This steady persistent effort plays a huge part in the TCA's ability to carry on.  Very often involved in the community, Cindy participates in many events including as a regular gym member and yoga participant.  She always has a smile and a minute to catch up with you when you meet her.  Thank you for all that you do, Cindy. 

Cindy is one of the front runners for volunteers at the TCC.  She's always there with a helping hand and a smile!  I remember knowing Cindy since I was a kid at my grandparents store.  I didn't really know her then, she was friends with my aunt.  At least I think this is a memory,  sometimes I imagine things I remember but actually only think I do!  Anyway, maybe Cindy can verify this for me!  My point is, seeing Cindy at the TCC makes me feel comfortable and familiar.  Knowing she will be a part of an event at the TCC let's you know it will certainly run smoothly!  When she's not at the ticket table on those rare occasions,  I will notice and wonder, where's Cindy?  Not that the other volunteers aren't as lovely of course!!  When Cindy's name is on a list to call for a donation of food, you know before you make the call that she will certainly donate!  Most times I did know before and didn't even need to call.  She would come to me and ask if I needed anything!   And the bookroom!  Well anyone who takes such good care of books is number one in my book!! Cindy deserves this award so much!  If she isn't behind the scenes at the TCC, she's one of our regulars who comes to everything!  She has worked, shopped,  bought,  dined and supported the TCA  for many years.  I full heartedly support her in receiving this award!

Thank you Cindy for volunteering at the TCA.  All of your years of volunteer work is appreciated.  We look forward to chatting with you at the TCA markets ticket table. Thank you for your time and your contributions to the community.  Enjoy this award, well deserved!  We love our volunteers!   

Congratulations Cindy on receiving this award, it couldn’t go to a more deserving person. I can’t remember when I first met Cindy, probably because she’s the type of person that makes you feel like you’ve always known her. You know the type - kind and personable, pleasant and caring. She’s unassuming; a behind the scenes type - up in the book room, out in the kitchen or at the welcome ticket table. Always ready to step up, pitch in, always steady and reliable.

Dr. Seuss said “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not”.

Cindy I so appreciate your kind and caring heart, your many selfless hours of volunteering - you truly make things better - an awful lot better! :)

Ode to Cindy

She is always at the ticket table

She is always at the centre, whatever is going on.

The only thing she does not do, that I know of, is tae kwon do!

In a nutshell she participates in, supports and volunteers for pretty well anything at the TCC, from belly dancing classes to quilt shows.

Dependable is her middle name:)

I know Cindy at the TCC,  as that steady market volunteer.She is one of those people whom you do not hear a lot from but is quietly willing to give without expecting anything back

The TCA motto, Promoting community spirit, health and wellbeing,  is one that Cindy practices beautifully; she walks the talk. Cindy devotes herself both to promoting the health and well being of herself and her family and the well being of the community. She  does so by personally benefiting from TCA activities such as sTAyfit and yoga, while helping sustain these and other activities through volunteer tasks  such as  collecting class fees and welcoming outside instructors. When I think of Cindy and the TCA, the word backbone comes to mind. She is one those quiet, steady, involved participants in our community who provide the strength and staying power of our Association, in good times and difficult ones. We are grateful. On behalf of Peter, I would add that he would also think about Cindy as the caring committed mother of Scott and Craig. One summer, Peter used a Canada Summer Jobs matching grant to hire Craig to work with him in his organic vegetable operation, providing Peter with the opportunity to know and appreciate Cindy and Ed as parents of a very pleasant, solid and dependable young person.

Cindy has been our friendly volunteer at the Market ticket table for many years. She is no stranger in the kitchen as she has spent many hours helping prepare food for our Purple Piano Cafes, Senior Dinners, Spaghetti Suppers and Breakfasts. Being an avid reader and missing the bookmobile Cindy was more than happy to help set up the book room. She does an excellent job organizing the yearly Book and Bake sale which everyone enjoys. Congratulations Cindy on your much deserved Volunteer of the year.

Cheerful, dedicated, available, family-centered, community-minded, these are words that come to mind when I think of Cindy. Thinking back over the years I can’t even imagine how many hours she has logged. She has done hours of kitchen duty, been a driving force in the yard sale room project and later in that same place, moved and sorted countless boxes of donated books to create our ongoing Book Room. When the sTayfit fitness center was established Cindy was a vital part of that team. Greeting market patrons at the ticket table on Saturday mornings is a regular for Cindy. She is a great ambassador for the community. I happily celebrate this acknowledgement of her contribution to our association.

I have known Cindy for over 45 years. She and her family are held in high regard in our community! There is no one more deserving of the Annual Burgess Volunteerism Award than Cindy. When I think of the Taymouth Community Market, Cindy always comes to mind - looking after the ticket table - always with a smile to greet you! She volunteered countless hours in the yard sale/book room and did an excellent job! Cindy, congratulations to you on receiving this award - you certainly earned it!

For as long as I can remember Cindy has always been an active member of the community.

She has always participated in community activities, especially those that provide a social environment, such as yoga and sewing group. Examples of her volunteerism are numerous, and I probably would not be able to recall them all.

Cindy has been a valued member of the sTAYfit Committee since its beginning in 2012. In addition to being a respected voice within the committee, she has filled the role of ‘water girl’ ensuring that water coolers in the building are kept clean and fully stocked by ordering and delivering bottled water.  She is also a reliable shopper for gym supplies. It is reassuring to know that Cindy will always lend a hand – just don’t ask her to use a computer! 

Cindy has been a wonderful example of a dedicated community member as well as a great big sister.

Cindy is someone you can always count on to help with many of the things that make the community center a success.  From helping in the kitchen to prep for suppers, to her work with the gym, to keeping the booksale room well organized, she is always willing to lend a hand where it's needed.  She has always been a big supporter of the market.  With her frequent donations of her handmade items for raffles and gift baskets, to her regular weekly shift as a welcoming greeter on the ticket table, her time and talents are another reason why the community market is such a success.  Not to forget that she is also a big supporter of many of the market vendors by making sure she goes home every week with her shopping bag full.

I can not think of another person more deserving of this year’s volunteerism award.