Emergency Services Volunteer Committee - Committed to the Cause!

What an incredible fall semester it has been for the Emergency Services Volunteer Committee (ESVC). Comprised of students in the Police Foundations and Paramedics programs, these students exceeded their expectations and the goals they set at the beginning of the academic year. Coordinators Justin Andersen Goncalves, Latasha Letnes and Paige Pye led by example as they continuously demonstrated the importance of 'giving back to community,' especially for those exploring careers in policing and emergency services.

The Emergency Services Volunteer Committee, all Police Foundations students or alumni:
Top row from left to right: Greg Hawel (alumnus); Bryden Brockman; Corey Keller; Michael Patrick; Michael Chacon; Jacob Lounsbury; Justin Anderson-Goncalves (coordinator).
Second row: Niki Reis (alumnus); Danijela Radivojevic; Marissa Turnbull; Latasha Letnes (coordinator); Paige Pye (coordinator); Kathleen Holtby: Yota Pavlakidis

"It feels amazing to be a part of something so great and so important within the community," said Pye.

The students made the following charitable contributions this semester:

$1,200 for Mission Services London, $1,080 M.A.D.D. Ribbon campaign, $2,400 Tornado Fun Run, $1,080 for 52 Neonatal Monitors for Children's Hospital, $580 for London Children's Connection, $240 for Schizophrenia Society of Ontario and over 2,000 pounds of food for the local Food Bank!

They also devoted their time and provided these additional services to our community:

Security for Terry Fox Run and CIBC Run for the Cure and the Easter Seals Drop Zone; Route Marshalls for the Santa Claus Parade; Community Cleanup Day for Fleming Drive and Thurman Circle; Demonstrations for the Fanshawe College Open House, Police Foundations Program Orientation and Women against Violence Awareness; building ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation) dog park.

"What a wonderful contribution and testament of the students commitment to creating positive change in our community," said Sandra Fieber, Chair, School of Human Services. "Thank you to the faculty for your leadership and wisdom in guiding our students."

Most impressive is that these dedicated students have committed over 1,200 hours of various volunteer efforts while working and maintaining an excellent academic standing.

The ESVC was initially formed in 2008 and over that period of time the committee has continued to grow, participate and support more than a dozen charitable causes within the community. The committee is self-directed by the coordinators, with only occasional support and direction from the Police Foundations faculty.

Congratulations on an amazing 2011 and best of luck in 2012!

Jon Kunder
Coordinator, Police Foundations and PSI programs