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Escarpment Magazine Fall 2012
THIS
past August, three very special local women received a salute of honour from the Superintendent
of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Norine Baron, Diana MacGregor and Hazel South were recognized for establishing the first Board of
Directors of Beaver Valley Outreach (BVO), a high-profile, non-profit organization dedicated to “making
good things happen in our community”, with programs and services to enhance the quality of life of chil-
dren, youth, families and seniors in The Blue Mountains.
The RCMP tribute coincided with performances of the world-renowned RCMP Musical Ride, brought to
this year’s Cedar Run Rodeo thanks to the dedicated efforts of BVO personnel. TheMusical Ride marked
the official kick-off for BVO’s 30
th
anniversary celebrations, which will feature exciting events throughout
the next year.
Like many community organizations, Beaver Valley Outreach grew from humble beginnings. Back in
1982,
working out of the basement of a house owned by Muriel and Ian Shaw, a small group of com-
munity-minded women distributed warm clothing and hampers at Christmas to people in need, and se-
cured donations from the community.
In 1988, BVO was incorporated and received charitable status. Government funding soon arrived and
the organization hired its first paid program coordinator. A year later, BVOmoved into its first real head-
quarters in the Village of Clarksburg.
Unfortunately, government funding did not last very long. So, in 1990, BVO held its first auction to raise
money for much-needed community programs. (The annual Silent Auction continues to this day, celebrat-
ing its 17
th
year this Thanksgiving weekend.) Throughout the next decade, the Crayon Box Nursery School
and Kids Club programs were established.
At the end of the 1990s, BVO’s Clarksburg location housed the Coordinator’s office, the Crayon Box
Nursery School and the Clothing Depot, as the Treasure Shop was called then. Starting out with four
programs, BVO was operating 18 programs by the year 2000, and it was becoming apparent that the
organization required more space.
In 2001, under the leadership of coordinator Teresa Pearson and Board Chair Rita Mary Coté, BVO
purchased the former fire hall on Bruce Street in Thornbury. (The building was later renovated to suit
BVO’s needs.) The following year, BVO was asked to become the Thornbury site for the Ontario Early
Years Centre. Led by an Early Years professional on site, the Centre provides support, links and resources
to parents with children 0 to 6 years of age and the opportunity to meet with other parents to talk, learn
from each other and play.
As BVO programs expanded, the organization established community events to support and celebrate
families in the community. Every Easter weekend, Easter Eggstravaganza offers children the opportunity
to hunt for eggs, experience animals, have their faces painted and take part in Easter crafts – all for free.
Every October, BVO expresses its thanks to the community by staging its annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cel-
ebration. Local chefs donate their skills, businesses and organizations donate food, and volunteers help
with dinner and clean-up after serving over 800 appreciative guests at the Beaver Valley Community Cen-
tre.
Volunteers are the heart of Beaver Valley Outreach. Some of these bright and talented individuals devote
their time and energy to making sure that the “engine” of BVO, the Treasure Shop, operates efficiently.
Others provide transportation for appointments, organize nutritious breakfasts for school children, visit
people who are ill or housebound, make sure that BVO’s monthly food program runs smoothly, and pack
Christmas hampers during the Holidays.
MAKING GOOD THINGS HAPPEN IN OUR COMMUNITY
BEAVER VALLEY OUTREACH
Celebrating
30
Years
escarpment
COMMUNITY
BVO is a not-for-profit
organization, which
has been lending a
helping hand in our
community of the
Town of the Blue
Mountains
since 1982.