Thank You Aviva, Canada AM, and Pelham!

 What an amazing celebration on Tuesday, January 29! By hosting a community event and welcoming Canada AM viewers from across the nation we showcased Pelham’s vibrant, creative, and caring community.

Thank you to Mariah Bunz for applying to the Aviva Community Fund for a skatepark in memory of Isaac Riehl. I appreciate Mariah initiating the application, encouraging others to participate, and accepting the cheque on behalf of the community!

Thanks to those who helped make the Riehl Skatepark a finalist, and, eventually, the winner of the Aviva competition! So many helped along the way – voting and encouraging others to vote – including EL Crossley students, teachers and staff; members from churches, sports teams, and associations; the Glynn A. Green community and so many from all of Pelham’s schools; the media spreading the word; and Town staff and Council.

I also appreciate Bonita, Ted, and Jacob Riehl for consenting to allow your son’s and brother’s tragic death to unite the community behind this common cause. Thank you for your strength.

Thank you so much to those that made the Aviva announcement such a huge success!

Thanks to Ed Goerzen, principal, and the teachers and the students of the EL Crossley community! Thanks to the Student Union, to Marching Band, to Crossley Rowing, and to the members of the various student bands for showcasing your “Cyclone Spirit.”

Thanks to Lazy Loon for cooking breakfast; to White Meadows for the maple syrup; to Tim Horton’s for the hot beverages; to representatives from our local service clubs – Lions & Lioness, Rotary, Kinsmen – for serving; and to Chartwell, Fonthill Sobey’s, Giant Tiger, Fonthill Shoppers for donating all the breakfast food and supplies. Thanks to Young Sod Farms for your cash donation. Thanks to Vickie and numerous Town staff for organizing the event and to the many dedicated volunteers – from across the community – who helped to make that day a success!

Thanks to the Fonthill Firefighters Association for displaying the Canadian Flag and to members of the Niagara Regional Police for helping with traffic logistics. I appreciate Pen Lakes for organizing the putting contest and Scorpion Cheerleaders for motivating the crowd. Thanks to Pelham’s “Walk through History” volunteers for highlighting our heritage. Special thanks to Pegasus for framing the large portrait of Isaac.

I offer deep appreciation to Maurice Tolluck, CEO, and everyone from the Aviva Community Fund for the generous donation to the Riehl Skatepark!

Thank you so much to Jeff Hutcheson (Pelham native!) and the crew from Canada AM for broadcasting Pelham’s community spirit. (Please click here to go to the Canada AM website and see the video.)

And, finally, thank you so much to the hundreds and hundreds from the community that supported the event that welcomed Canada!