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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, S ep te m be r 20 ,2 01 8 | 18 GetWaterloonewsright in your inboxbysigningupfor thefreewaterloochronicle.ca newsletters. Choosefrom:Latest news,Opinion,Events andUnsolvedcrime. www.waterloochronicle.ca/newsletter nnndddUUUnnnnssssooollvvvvveeeedddcccrrriimmee Sign-upisfast andeasy... sign Hey!Waterloo sstt nnttsss ee.. up Why should the public vote for you? The Chronicle has asked "Why should the public vote for you?" and the best answer I can think of is to tell you who I am, and where I have come from. This is the founda- tion upon which I would serve you, the people of Waterloo. I am the first generation among the Neufeld family born in Canada since my family immigrated here af- ter fleeing communism in Eastern Europe like so many other German Men- nonites. While growing up in the Waterloo region, I was instilled with the sto- ry of hard work and tenac- ity that is our family histo- ry. Stories of the toughness and grit that those before me endured in hard places so that future generations would have greater oppor- tunity, and freedom. Our story, instilled in me as I grew up, helped me learn what it means to work hard and appreciate the opportunities that we have here. With two uni- versities available locally, I was able to work during my university years doing manual labour to pay my way through school (and never taking on any debt). I graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University, where I also met my wife Mela- nie, with a degree in histo- ry. After graduating I came to be the youngest person working at a local real es- tate firm. This competitive environment filled with high achievers brought out the best in me. Eventu- ally, after years of working with people at their kitch- en tables to help them make hard financial choic- es in real estate, I was ranked at the top of our agency individually in 2014. That year was twice blessed as Melanie and I welcomed our first child, Connor, into the world, and in 2018 Dillon also joined our growing family! Now as I consider the next generation of the Neufeld family here in Wa- terloo, what I want for them is what I want for all the residents in Waterloo, which is to appreciate all that we already have while we fearlessly pursue and invest in an even better fu- ture, together. WATERLOO WARD 1 CANDIDATE: RAINER NEUFELD Ward 1 candidate Rainer Neufeld. Submitted photo MUNICIPAL ELECTION SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT WATERLOOCHRONICLE.CA understand how important I'm not, and I mean that sin- cerely," Clemons said. "I be- lieve if you're a leader, and you're the smartest person in the room, it's your own fault." Clemons, who isn't the typical size for football player at five-foot-six, com- manded the room with a strong voice and presence. He served as head coach of the Argonauts upon retire- ment as a player in 2000, and took the role again from 2002-2007, delivering a Grey Cup in 2004. "To have Michael join us to talk about his inspira- tion ... and how important it is for our community to support each other and do whatever they can, wheth- er it be feeding people or volunteering time or a fi- nancial donation. It's all those little pieces that come together to help build com- munity," said Wendi Camp- bell, CEO of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. "I think Michael really helped drive home that message today to some amazing community partners who will hopeful- ly go home and share the story about what they heard and learned today about the Food Bank." Clemons' wife of 26 years, Diane Clemons, was on hand as well and shared an emotional story about growing up in a family of 10 where food was an issue. "When people look at me and see what they see to- day, the reason my hus- band and I do what we do, and the reason we work with food banks and we work with youth in the city that are under privileged is because I was one of those young people that didn't have anything, that didn't have any food," Diane Cle- mons said. "Our parents couldn't afford us to buy us new shoes, and couldn't af- ford to buy us clothes, ev- erything we had was given to us. "Food banks got me through my toughest times." "A wiser man would stop right there," chuckled Clemons after his wife's de- livery. Head coach of the K-W Titans Cavell Johnson was also on hand, and says he got emotional during the keynote speech. "Oh my gosh, extremely heartfelt. They (Clemons) spoke directly to my heart and to the passions that I have in the community and reaching young people and reaching people in gener- al," said Johnson, who's full time home is now in K-W. "He's probably the best speaker I've ever heard; the compassion and passion with which they deliver their message is absolutely amazing." Waffles in the Ware- house is aimed at offering an opportunity for people to tour the warehouse as well as learn more about the food bank and its im- pact it. Each week, the commu- nity depends on the food bank to provide more than 35,000 meals. Since 2013, Waffles in the Warehouse has raised enough to pro- vide more than 60,000 meals for families as well. LOCAL FOOD BANK ALWAYS IN NEED OF HELP Continued from page 14