In 2024 the Ontario Provincial Police Youth Foundation (OPPYF) saw growth in our awareness and community participation.

I am in my third year in the Executive Director position (volunteer) and it is a great honour and a privilege for me to be in this leadership role.

The face of our board has changed over this past year.  We have said “see you soon” to long time Administrator Kevin Lehman. Kevin is a true gentleman who volunteered innumerable hours. He is already greatly missed as he starts his transition to his second time around, retirement. Kevin was involved in so many facets of the foundation and we continue to find areas that need to be filled. We thank Kevin for everything he has done over the 20+ years of dedicated volunteerism and we are pleased to know both he and Bridget will continue to come out and assist at community events.  

We have new committee members; more volunteers; with an increased awareness within the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the communities it  serves. We have also seen some of our founding members retire from the active board of directors and I would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the contributions those members have had on this foundation. We wanted to celebrate the committee that made the OPPYF happen and so we will be honouring our founding members at the 2025 Pathway of Memories and Milestones dedication ceremony, September 8^th.

Directors and volunteers are proudly representing the OPPYF at community events such as the OPP Veterans’ Association meetings, the Tour de Force cycling events throughout Ontario and golf tournaments in Central and East Regions. They have made countless presentations to the Auxiliary, Cadet and Special Constable recruit classes at OPP GHQ in Orillia. We are also thankful that Dave Osborne and Jeff Simpkins continue to share awareness of the foundation at the numerous OPPA preretirement seminars throughout the year.

The 2025 OPP Canine Calendar fundraiser campaign was another success.  Dave Osborne took the lead this year. We are grateful for the wonderful photographs OPP Photographer Jayne Van der Veen has taken of the Canine Unit in action. Along with members of the Canine Unit, Corporate Communications and the OPP Store the canine calendar was once again a wonderful fundraiser for the OPPYF. The funds raised are equally shared between the OPPYF (45%), the Friends of the OPP Museum (45%) and a small portion to Ned’s Wish (10%), a retirement fund dedicated to caring for retired emergency services canines. Many thanks again to Dave Osborne and Kevin Lehman for all they do to make this fundraiser the success it has been.

Joe Evans has taken over the leadership role from Brent Young as the Chair of the PoMM committee. We thank Brent for the exceptional job he has done over the past several years and Joe for stepping up to fill such big shoes. Joe and the committee continue to work to increase donations to this Legacy project. As the June 30th deadline for new stone donations orders quickly approaches, members continue to seek out and receive new applications. We will again see the new stones installed in the Pathway in August, new stones that continue to celebrate years of service, milestones, life events such as retirements, promotion and class graduations.

Brent Young, Joe Evans, Dave Osborne, Bridget Higgins, Kevin Lehman, Sherri DeGroot and myself were often seen on the Pathway, with weed removal tools, shovels, edger or broom in hand, guaranteeing that it receives the care and attention that it deserves and is respectfully presentable at all times. We received positive feedback to the rebranding of the Pathway to the Pathway of Memories and Milestones to clarify the donated stones are a true celebration of those that have passed as well as those who have contributed to the OPP and are present to enjoy the flag terrace. We thank Brent for his leadership of the PoMM committee and wish him well as he moves on to the next phase of his retirement.

As the OPP Youth Foundation grows, we know it is important to have our brand out front and it is paramount to have a website using state of the art technology. Brenda Evans worked alongside the new website provider to make the OPPYF current, visible, clear with bilingual options. Brenda also has worked tirelessly to post key messaging on our YF Social Media account. As we reach the June 30^th deadline for current year PoMM stones, Brenda is highlighting the Pathway of Memories and Milestones stones to increase interest and awareness of this important fundraising project. Family and Veterans’ Days that were held this past week brought awareness of the OPPYF and also showcased our main projects.  We very much appreciate Brenda for taking the Communications portfolio to the highest standards. 

We have our branding on a professional outdoor tent and tablecloth, feather flags, and large size (6’ x 12’) flag for the OPP flag pole at key events. Once again, we requested the services of our unofficial youth advisor, (Nayte) and our branding expert Sherri and we have age-appropriate swag with the YF logo. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the numerous ways that Sherri supports the OPPYF. This includes but is not limited to the PoMM committee, the canine calendar committee, the Greg Pierzchala Golf Tournament, having the OPPA Credit Union provide helmet to go with our bicycles we give to youth, arranging for the OPPA CU to provide teddy bears in the trunks of every OPP vehicle, supporting us at various events and overall, for her sound advice on several fronts. Thank you, Sherri (and Nayte).

The third annual Greg Pierzchala Golf Tournament, with all proceeds coming to the OPPYF, will take place at the Club at Bond Head on August 14^th. This year we have arranged for a $2,500 bursary for a student at Greg’s former high school to attend a post-secondary institution. We have raised over $40,000 thus far at this event and we expect 2025 will be our most successful tournament to date.  We are still looking for golfers and sponsors. Thank you to Sgt. Whitney Reynolds, our OPP lead this year, and especially our team of dedicated board members who ensure this year will be the best tournament yet.

The Youth Development Fund (YDF) continues to provide much needed funds to youth in need of assistance to achieve their dreams and goals. Frank Ryder and the highly dedicated volunteers of the YDF committee continue to forge ahead with efforts to reach more and more of these young people. I enjoy reading Frank’s Youth Development Fund reports as he details how the funds were distributed throughout the province. The presentations highlight the value of the YDF and we are seeing increased applications in this area. Thank you to Frank, Ruby and their committee for making a difference, one youth at a time.

The YDF has also taken the lead on the Watson Family Community Event Fund. As we move into the second year of this project, it has demonstrated to be the success it was expected to be. Youth engagement has been a priority in the communities the OPP serve and this fund provides detachments the opportunity to purchase items for local youth fish derby’s, community barbecues and Shop with a Cop to name a few.

The Tour de Force Cycling Series has had a refocus. Originally the cycling event at Lake Mindemoya on Manitoulin Island was a community event to celebrate the ultimate sacrifice of OPP Constable Marc Hovingh. Many community members gathered at the local community centre and rode 34km to 100km – whatever they were comfortable doing. Funds raised were donated to the OPPYF and in working with officers on Manitoulin Island, each year children in need were chosen to receive a bicycle from OPPYF (and helmet courtesy of OPPA Credit Union). It was a pleasure to attend and be part of this community. As noted, the event grew to an “Ontario Tour de Force” cycling event where the OPPYF is just part of the four-person organizing committee. The focus is not as much on local youth or community engagement. Unfortunately, in 2024, the first event did not have youths chosen to receive bikes. Of the 10 or 12 bicycles that were to be presented, only five presentations were completed. We will re-evaluate our involvement in the following years’ event to ensure we maintain our goals and mandate to assisting disadvantaged youth.

We had another successful bursary year with all bursary funds being expended in helping 14 youths across the province realize their post-secondary ambitions.  Thank you to Bursary committee Co-Chairs Lynda Cranney and Chris Seeley.  Lynda continues to reach out to former coworkers and associates to obtain the bursary applications to make this program a success. Chris continues to stay in contact in the East Region and ensure bursaries are presented.

Sue Thorburn is working with Bob Eamer to ensure officers and civilians are recognized or their work with youth. Sue worked to complete a youthful inspired coin that is presented to recognize those for their work done to assist a young person. Sue is also working on a special award to be presented at Regional Accolade Award events.

Joanne Smith continues to meet with the Tim Horton’s Camp Foundation with a goal to reestablish OPP and OPPYF involvement. Grant Arnold has a wealth of Youth Foundation experience and is engaged in his communities which we appreciate this connection. We continue to leaned on Bradley Walton for his expertise in the finance department and are grateful for his continuous support to the administrator as well as being a key member of the Greg Pierzchella golf tournament committee.

Judi Armstrong. That says it all! Thank you, Judi, for bringing your professionalism to the board as you have taken the secretarial functions off the Administrator position’s portfolio. Your pride in your minute taking as well as the certificates you prepared and other things that you do don’t go unnoticed and are gratefully appreciated.

Welcome to new board members Donna McGirr and Sue Clark.  I will have more to say about them in my next report!

In closing, I would like to personally thank our Youth Foundation Assistant Chair, Dave Osborne. Dave doesn’t like to be thanked for his countless volunteer hours as he is willing to assist anyone in need – whether a youth, a current serving member or an OPP Veteran. Among all you do, thank you for being the lead weeder in the Pathway of Memories and Milestones and as Joe Evans takes the lead for the Pathway I know he appreciates the weeding too!!

Thank you, fellow directors and volunteers for making our 2024/25 AGM Year a success as we continue grow the OPP Youth Foundation together to make a difference, one youth at a time.

Sandy Poredos
Executive Director
OPP Youth Foundation