YMCA Honours Peacemakers

This year, those who were honour included: Graham Beer (Youth Peace Medal), St. Peter’s Anglican Church (Group Peace Medal), Sayed Sharifi (Adult Peace Medal), and Bill Patchett (Humanitarian Peace Medal).

From November 18 – 25, during YMCA Peace Week, YMCA of Northumberland, together with YMCAs across Canada, celebrate the presence of peace in our communities and reflect on the peace-building work that happens all year both inside and outside the YMCA. 2017 marks the 30th Anniversary of the YMCA Peace Medal. 37 adult medals and 17 youth medals have been awarded locally to honour those who, without any special resources or standing, embody the values of peace in their actions.

Graham Beer, a Grade 12 International Baccalaureate student at Cobourg Collegiate Institute, is driven to be involved, said Ian Koellner of BDO Canada

Participating fully in both the CCI community and the Northumberland community. At school, he has been involved with sports teams and student government, serving this year as CCI Prime Minister. Beyond that, Koellner said, he has volunteered for such organizations as the Cobourg 2017 committee, Trinity United Church, and Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre. He began his own online media outlet Cobourg News five years ago at the age of 12 (now known as Cobourg Media). The name notwithstanding, however, he reports from far and wide. His coverage of centennial commemorations at Vimy Ridge, for example, was carried on CITY-TV.

“He volunteers his time and talents to reach a broader audience and inspire youth to become involved,” Koellner said. He also organizes an annual Cobourg Media show that has raised $5,000 for the Salvation Army and Northumberland Fare Share food banks.

The medal for St. Peter’s comes mainly in recognition of two of their recent initiatives, Y board member Montana Desjardins said. A clean-water project for a First Nation reserve in Northern Ontario and a program called School Supplies for the Far North. Their school-supplies project serves one of the most northern Canadian communities (in Nunavut, where such items are extremely costly since the community is only accessible by plane).

“Their care and dedication to helping others have inspired the community way beyond the church-goers.”

Sharifi arrived in Canada during the Russia-Afghanistan war as a refugee, Y global-initiatives committee member Arlene Howells said. This background has moved him to work with Syrian refugees in the community as they arrive and begin to build their lives in Canada.

“Such a journey is filled with experiences that could turn someone bitter, but instead he has chosen gratitude and kindness with which to guide his life. He inspires and challenges others to bring about the peace they would like to see in the world through his own actions.”

These include his gifts as an artist and his volunteer efforts with the Green Wood Coalition. Through his work he advocates for positive change toward building and empowering individuals for stronger communities.

Patchett accepted the Humanitarian Peace Medal. He is a self-made businessman, entrepreneur, philanthropist, community leader and an advocate and champion of both local and international causes that he commits to selflessly. And as a Rotarian for 30 years, he has helped raise millions of dollars to make these things happen.

One stellar example is heading the committee that raised $19-million to build Northumberland Hills Hospital. He has also been a valued supporter of Northumberland United Way, Keystone House, and Habitat for Humanity Northumberland. Patchett also espouses the lower-key causes that are just as important, such as spearheading a fundraising drive to make possible a life-saving course of treatment for a young man from Colborne that otherwise would not be covered by the provincial government.

“It would take all day to name all his achievements.” In accepting his award, Patchett offered his thanks.

“I have a very strong belief that we all come into this world with absolutely nothing,” he said.