Community Winners

Glenn Kimmett

Winner – Community (Individual)

Glenn Kimmett, 81, has spent the majority of his life playing a never-ending balancing act between his family life, a job that demanded long hours and kept him away from home at times, and the countless amount of volunteer work he’s performed in the Scarborough community for well over 40 years. 

Kimmett, married with two children, has gained the reputation as a neighbour who can always be depended on, who never gives “no” as an answer when someone needs a helping hand.

With Kimmett being able to balance so many responsibilities at a time, it actually all starts to make sense when one finds out he used to work high up in the sky on narrow steel beams as an iron worker.  

When Kimmett was a boy, he lived on a farm with his family, where he learned the importance of pulling your own weight. His family also looked out for others, offering assistance to those who were less fortunate.

This philosophy of giving back would stick with Kimmett. Kimmett retired in his late 60s, but one thing is certain – he hasn’t showed signs of losing that sense of balance.

He continues to take the time every week to deliver hot meals to homebound residents living in Wexford, something he has been doing for the past three decades.

Kimmett would go deliver for Meals on Wheels whenever he could squeeze it into his work schedule or in between his other volunteer duties, like when he coached for girls fast-pitch softball, for example. 

“If we got a rained out at a game, well, I would take that time to go deliver meals instead,” Kimmett said.
 
During the winter, Kimmett and his wife, Gladys, have made nighttime visits to Lord Roberts Junior Public School for the past 19 years, where they would trudge through the snow and drag out the hose to flood the outdoor ice rink, just so it would be frozen in time for kids to skate on in the morning.
 
“On some cold nights, we would be reluctant to go. My wife and I thought we were crazy to be outside freezing like that. But we had to do it because the kids just love the rink,” he said. 

Borrowing from his construction background, Kimmett has helped to provide affordable housing for low-income families through the time he spent working on various Habitat for Humanity builds in West Hill and Mississauga.

This dedicated volunteer has also spent the past 12 years waking up at the crack of dawn every Saturday to help serve breakfast for the Out of the Cold program with other members of the Wexford Heights United Church. 

“If you ask him to do something, it’s very seldom he will refuse to do it,” said long-time friend and fellow church member Francis Banner. “He’s been an inspiration for many of us because when you see what he does, you then ask yourself, ‘If he can do it, why can’t I?’” 

While it may seem Kimmett has a lot on his plate, he said he has been privileged to be able get the chance to help others, in whatever capacity it may be. 

“Doing this work is very important to me, because this is what being a member of the community is all about,” he said. “Community is where you live, and without it, you have nothing.”

– Brad Pritchard

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258

Winner – Community (Group)

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 258 has established an ever-growing footprint in Highland Creek that has helped define the community over the past 76 years, thanks to its dedication to the well-being of veterans and through many ongoing community partnerships. 

The Branch planted its roots in southeastern Scarborough in 1934 when it originally was called The British Empire Service League.

It moved to its current location on Lawson Road in 1947, and would later rename itself in 1964 to ‘Highland Creek’ as a move to better reflect the surrounding community. 

Today, the 1,100-plus member Branch is comprised of present and former armed forces personnel as well as many associate members (veteran relatives) and affiliate members (community residents).

 As anyone who lives in the community knows quite well, the Branch doesn’t stay confined in its banquet halls. 

As part of annual tradition that dates back to 1955, come rain or shine, the Branch takes over the streets every July 1 for its Canada Day Parade, which has become a true community celebration.

This one-of-a-kind event, chock full of marching bands, classic cars, and waving Canadian flags, has become the place to be for hundreds of local families and community organizations when ringing in Canada’s birthday. It’s also the longest running Canada Day parade in Toronto. 

Another aspect that defines Branch 258 is its annual veterans dinner, which it holds every year in April.

Approximately 400 guests from more than 30 branches across the city, as well as veterans from Sunnybrook Hospital and The Tony Stacey Centre for Veterans Care are invited to this honourary dinner held at the sizeable legion hall.

This is the only get-together of its kind where members from various legions get the chance to socialize with fellow brothers and sisters who they served with in wars past. 

Fundraising is an integral part of the Branch’s efforts. In October and November, its volunteers venture out into the community for the Annual Poppy Campaign.

In 2009, it raised $60,000 from poppy donations, which it distributes back into the community through programs like kids’ baseball and hockey leagues, as well as towards institutions like the Tony Stacey Centre For Veterans Care.

The Branch also sponsors the 2881 Queen’s Own Rifles, Highland Creek Cadet Corps, as well as public speaking and literary contests for local schools. 

Branch 258 also continually generates donations for the community through weekly brunches, dinners and entertainment nights.

 “The branch has been a tremendous contributor to serving both veterans and the Highland Creek community for the past 76 years,” said 1st vice president Wayne Powell, who as a kid, attended the annual Canada Day parade in the 1950s with his parents. “It has become a real mainstay for both.”

– Brad Pritchard