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Waterloo‘s finest 16 + WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, November 14, 2007 s a child, Eleni Stopp spent Al\nuch of her free time in _ &AMWaterloo Park with her famiâ€" ly visiting the resident bears and swimming in Silver Lake even theugh it wasn‘t permitted. They also enjoyed many picnics there, munching on apple cakes ant cheese and salami sandwiches. £I think it‘s my favourite place in Waterloo," said the longtime resiâ€" dent, who was recently presented with the Waterloo Award for her volunteer service on the Waterloo Park committee, among many other contributions. For her, it was a "privilege" to sit on that committee from 1997 to 2007, during which time she played angdvisory role helping to map out the park‘s operations, maintenance and improvements. Although she‘s no longer on the committee, she still spends a lot of time at the park tending to the Friendship Garden she helped establish there to recognize Waterâ€" log‘s twin and sister cities. "I‘d say that‘s where I‘m happiâ€" est, in the garden," said the nature lover, who hiked the entire 845â€" kilometre Bruce Trail over 1 1/2 vears after she turned 60. It was Georgia and her late husâ€" band, Bernhard, who taught Stopp about giving back. Three local residents take home Waterloo‘s top honour She‘s joined in the Friendship Garden on occasion by her mother, Georgia, who donated many of the heritage plants that bloom there today. "I remember, growing up, every weekend there would be company. My mother would bake German tortes and my father would have invited whoever was new to the community," she said. "They were always helping people along." All of her volunteer efforts, including planting trees with the Laurel Creek citizens‘ committee and helping out at local schools and the Waterloo public library, culminated in her receiving the Waterloo Award from Mayor Brenâ€" da Halloran at a recent city council meeting. The award, also given to Murray Hagase and Terry Dorscht, is the custom foam systems * VISCO ELASTIC MEMORY FOAM By Jennirer OrMSTON Chronicle Staff We Custom Cut Foam ... For Everything! ... JU: ,, rz> | y -. fifi‘;‘i’â€" A"I;RX.‘}Q toppeRs Je 4 hk Ua a C T2 % s teang and tuming FOAM c“i’A"m;‘lzé"D _ _9 city‘s most prestigious civic honour. "It‘s been bestowed on an elite group of just 23 outstanding comâ€" munity members since 1997," said Coun. Angela Vieth, a former Waterloo Award winner, at the cereâ€" mony. Longtime Water|oo resident Eleni Stopp is one of three recipients of the Waterloo Award this year. The award is the city‘s most prestigious honour. "Those chosen to receive a Waterloo Award are individuals who have contributed immensely, often over many years, to Waterloo, Murray Haase LIFESTYLE and frequently beyond," she said When Stopp heard she had won the award, the first thought that went through her mind was that she‘s undeserving. For Haase, receiving the award was an honour, "although, you don‘t look for that type of thing when you‘re out and about doing things," he said. "But then I thought, this is so nice, this is just the best surprise," she said. He was recognized for his work with various City of Waterloo comâ€" mittees, as well as for volunteering with the Lutheran Retirement Serâ€" vices board of directors and the Rotary Club. He began volunteering in his early 20s, when he joined the junior Chamber of Commerce. "It was something for young people to do for the community," he said of his involvement. "You can‘t just take out of the system, you have to put something back in. ' The Foam Store for all your camping and RV needs JENNIFER ORMSTON PHOTOS "Everybody has to contribute if they can." e Terry Dorscht And that‘s a motto he‘s followed throughout his life. _ One of his most lasting memoâ€" ries was creating the Dream Home lottery in 1984 to support the strugâ€" gling Big Sisters organization. â€"_ "It was the first time it was ever tried here, and a lot of people said it would never work, and we said it for all marine applications 360 Trillium Dr. Kitchener ERGONOMIC SEAT PADS & BOLSTERS FACTORY OUTLET 519.748.1491 _ (fokagsâ€"â€" ~ NEW HOURS: Mon. â€" Thurs. 8â€"6, Fri. 8â€"4 JUST ASK! could, but we weren‘t doing too well," he recalled. But that all changed after he got the media to back the campaign. "We sold every ticket," he recalled, adding the Dream Home event is now run by the Rotary Club. As a founding trustee of Lutherâ€" wood Foundation, he‘s also been a driving force with that organizaâ€" tion, raising funds to help local teens, families and unemployed residents. Though he‘s not sure what charâ€" ities he‘ll get involved with next, one thing is for certain: "I won‘t be sitting on the chesterfield," he said. "I‘ll be doing something." Dorscht also won‘t be sitting around now that he‘s a Waterloo Award winner. His community involvement began when he coâ€"founded the stuâ€" dent and community interaction committee in 1998 to promote good relations between students and residents in neighbourhoods near the universities. He retired the following year, and began devoting his time to charities, including Habitat for Humanity and Neighbourhood Watch. "I had a good job all my life, so I think it‘s time I give something back to the community, and this is the way I can best help," he said. "You meet some of the families and you get to know them better," he said of the people moving into the Habitat homes. Over the years he‘s developed relationships with some of them, and has even been given special meals from them on occasion. As a person who likes working with his hands, Dorscht particularâ€" ly enjoys the time he spends buildâ€" ing houses with Habitat for Humanity. Plus, it gives him an opportunity to interact with lots of people. Volunteering isn‘t about receivâ€" ing awards for Dorscht, although he admits it was a special honour to be chosen for the Waterloo Award. Meanwhile, he encourages othâ€" ers to follow in his footsteps and donate their time and talent. "There are so many opportuniâ€" ties for charitable work out there." MEMORY FOAM PILLOWS