Shining the Spotlight on Our Volunteers
April 18 to 24 is National Volunteer Week, a time to highlight the invaluable work that volunteers do across Canada – and right at home here in the Kawartha Lakes. The Grove Theatre is blessed with an ever-growing team of volunteers, all of whom deserve a huge shout-out. We invited just a few of these amazing people to introduce themselves to you in their own words. Perhaps their stories and their passion will inspire you to join them!
Gord & Diane Grunwell, volunteer fundraisers
So, Gord and Diane, tell us a bit about yourselves.
Diane: Gord has an extensive background in marketing and communications, having worked in the telecommunications industry for over 25 years before shifting gears and working in the not-for-profit sector. Diane worked at RBC’s Head Office for 38 years, specializing in Human Resources and Public Relations and, more specifically, in Corporate Citizenship, where she led RBC’s National Employee Giving Campaign and Employee Volunteerism for 20 years prior to retirement. I loved my various roles at RBC and always lived by the motto “Love what you do, and do what you love”. Now that I’m retired, I’m doing the same … and getting involved in the community was at the top of my list. It’s a great way to help make a difference, meet new people and have fun. Gord and I enjoy doing anything in the outdoors - downhill skiing, snowshoeing, walking, boating and golfing - and look forward to events in the open air at the Grove Theatre!
How long have you lived in our beautiful Kawartha Lakes area?
We have been permanent residents in Fenelon Falls since October 2019, having cottaged in the area for most of our lives. My parents had a cottage on Cameron Lake, and Gord’s parents lived on Sturgeon Lake. In fact, I worked for Gord’s parents at their grocery store/dairy bar in Rosedale when I was a teenager, and that’s how I met Gord – in fact, he gave me my first paycheque! Gord lived in Fenelon Falls when he was a young boy growing up and attended both the public and high school. He always wanted to move back, and we couldn’t think of a better place to retire – so here we are!
How did you get involved with The Grove Theatre?
Last fall we were invited by Lynne Manning who is Chair of The Grove’s Management Committee, to go on a tour of the amphitheatre and were excited to learn more. Little did we know that asking questions would get us “recruited” to be on the Fundraising Committee! All kidding aside, we have always been passionate about professional theatre having been supporters of the Oshawa Little Theatre for several years, attending Mirvish, Shaw and Stratford Festival on numerous occasions, in addition to many theatres in the Kawarthas and nearby communities. An outdoor amphitheatre resonated with us and we are excited to be involved and see the dream become a reality!
Louise Crawford, our volunteer coordinator
Louise, tell us about your connection to Fenelon Falls.
I have been coming to Fenelon since I was born. My grandfather moved here in 1925: he worked for the railroad and raised his family here. Our family spent summers here until my parents sold my grandfather’s original cottage in the late 1970s. My first husband and I had a cottage in Burnt River, so we were still connected to Fenelon. I sold that cottage after I remarried, and my husband and I bought our cottage here in town in 2014, and we decided to move up here permanently in 2019.
What makes you volunteer with The Grove Theatre?
I think The Grove Theatre will be a wonderful addition to the town. The theatre, live music and events sound very exciting. I am on the Probus social committee, and when our friends Diane and Gord Grunwell volunteered for The Grove, I mentioned to Diane that I might be interested in volunteering. That’s how it started, and I’m looking forward to meeting everyone involved and seeing how The Grove Theatre will enhance our community of Fenelon Falls.
Deb Churchill, who is finding accommodations for our artists
Deb, how did you get involved with the growing team at The Grove?
I met Lynne Manning and the Grove Theatre team through volunteering with the Business Retention & Expansion program for Fenelon Falls Downtown Revitalization.
What can you tell our future volunteers?
I have been a long-time community volunteer, so I know that volunteering is the thing to do if you want to make things happen. Get involved! The Grove Theatre is an extraordinary addition to elevate our area economically, for tourism and for the local community.
If these sound like the kind of people you’d love to get to know further, why not consider volunteering with The Grove yourself? It’s a great opportunity to make connections, form new friendships, and benefit the community through a shared love of arts and culture. We love our volunteers, and we can’t wait to see our Grove family grow even bigger!
To learn more about how to get involved, our various roles, and how awesome our volunteers are, head to https://www.grovetheatre.ca/volunteer.
