Volunteering News

Donna Shram - President

Donna retired with her husband Bob, from Montreal to Brockville in 2014.

Having studied at Concordia and McGill Universities she was a Management Consultant for TELUS, specializing in business outsourcing operations, change management and strategic planning.

Donna divides her time amongst volunteering in a number of organizations, trying to play bridge and spending as much time as possible with her granddaughters. 

Norma Banford - Vice President

I started volunteering with the BGVA a few years ago because  I wanted to be involved locally and get to know more people. I decided the BGVA was a good choice for multiple reasons - one - I have family that live here and have received excellent care, two - I wanted to give back to my local community in an area that I believed in three - my mother volunteered at her local hospital and always told me it was satisfying and rewarding to feel that you were contributing to an organization that everyone uses. 

Elizabeth Wollaston - Secretary

Peter, myself and our two children Paul and Kim, immigrated to Canada in 1969 starting our new life in Toronto. Over the years we have lived in various cities including Ottawa, Winnipeg, Montréal, Burlington, Rankin Inlet, Fort McMurray and Maitland! 

I cannot remember a time when I haven’t volunteered. From teaching English in Kenya for a year to teaching an adult to read and write. Apart from volunteering at BGH, I drive for Freedom Drivers an organisation that takes animals from high kill shelters in Quebec to rescues in Ontario. 

Mary McCauley - Treasurer

I am a recent arrival to Brockville and current Treasurer for BGVA’s 300+ member organization at BGH.

I was born in Stratford, Ontario with work assignments in Montreal, Edmonton, Germany and Vancouver.

I have been a lifelong learner and certified business analyst in non-profit, manufacturing and engineering sectors.

I believe in being a lively participant on continuous improvement projects with the goal of making it better, together. meaning that I am thrilled to be a member of this group of dynamic and caring volunteers. 

Sandra Devaney - Past President 

Sandra is a retired Director of Development for our YMCA. In that capacity, Sandra established an Annual Appeal, and is a founding Director of the YMCA charitable Foundation. Sandra has served on several local Boards of Directors, including Loaves and Fishes and the Aquatarium. Her last and current positions have been with BGVA, chairing the Board from 2018 to 2020.

Sandra and her husband Bill, raised two daughters in Brockville. Sandra enjoys travelling, playing bridge and entertaining friends and family. Time with her four grandchildren brings her tremendous joy.

Carole Crump - Gift Shop/Cafe Committee Co-Chair 

Allan and I left Liverpool England in 1966 on a ship. When we arrived in Quebec City, we went to get on a bus and was told by an elderly man “Go home Limey". I didn’t know what a Limey was but soon found out! Anyway we are still here. We arrived in Toronto a week later where Allan got a job with Corrections Ontario. Later, we moved to Brampton and had our family of 3. We stayed there 13 years. Our move to Hornpayne (Northern Ontario) was for 3 years with a population of 1800. We only had a small red & white grocery store truck that came into town with the food on Tuesdays and if I didn’t get my groceries by Friday at the latest, then we were out of luck!

In 1983 we transferred to Brockville where we have settled down and stayed put. I have worked in a few places in Brockville; the cash office at Sears and then the Switchboard here at BGH. I was then offered the cashiers job in the business office. I loved the job and enjoyed meeting the volunteers, they would sit on the chair outside my window and talk. This is when I told Allan I would like to be a volunteer when I retired. I joined the volunteers 15 years ago this November.

Karen Matte - Gift Shop/Cafe Committee Co-Chair 

I have worked In health care leadership for over 40 years. My work has lead me to sit on various Boards over the years. I am also a previous educator at St. Lawrence College.

I started volunteering with BGVA 13 years ago, initially in Eleanor’s Cafe and on the Fundraising committee. I have been on the Executive of the BGVA for the past 6 years and I am currently Chair of Eleanor’s Cafe.

I enjoy visiting my son and family that include three little granddaughters in California. Other interests include golf and reading.

Catherine Starr - Fundraising Committee Chair 

My retirement goals included volunteering, and enjoying life without trains and subways! I was accepted as a volunteer at Eleanor’s Cafe and soon joined the fundraising team. I enjoy the people I’ve met and the work we do in our community. Volunteering and giving back to the community is important to me — I started volunteering as a teen. Previous volunteer work includes the Durham Family YMCA, and, United Way and Federated Health Campaign fundraising initiatives in the OPS.

In my spare time I enjoy photography, cooking, reading, kayaking and exploring with Finnegan the Dachshund. I look forward to new challenges and working with our fantastic team!

Sherry Martucci - Patient Services Committee Chair 

Sherry was educated as a nurse and has brought her expertise to each of her subsequent rolls. Over the years, she has worked for Bayshore Dialysis, Chromatographic Specialties and as a Ward Clerk at Brockville General Hospital.

Outside of her work, Sherry also likes to volunteer in the community. Over the years, she has volunteered in the Brockville school system, Brockville Skating Club and is currently volunteering at Brockville General Hospital where she was one of the volunteers who helped initiate the Tea parties and Tea carts for the staff and patients. Recently, she also accepted a role as Team Leader for the PC volunteers.

Sherry became a member of the BGVA board as Member at Large in 2018 and is excited start her new role as Patient Contact Services.

Marla Gilliland - Honourary President

I was born in Toronto and have lived in Windsor, Thunder Bay and Brockville. Along with my husband, David, we enjoy a family including a daughter, two sons and 4 grandchildren (plus a beautiful long haired dachshund, Tika).

Volunteer work has become the highlight of my life, including BGVA, Rotary, Girl Guides and May Court.  Knitting and reading Science Fiction keep me grounded as well as a lovely, supportive group of friends. 

Paulene Roberts - Member at Large 

After retiring from my Real Estate career, I wanted to volunteer and came to BGH to contribute my time and effort to help out. It has been been very rewarding and enjoyable in every aspect.

Joyce Edgley - Member at Large 

I have done a lot of volunteering over the years, and that effort was recognized by the Village of Lyn when my husband and I were awarded Citizens of the Year in 2010.

I retired in 2014 after 41 years with a major financial institution where I developed a great sense of community involvement, so when it was time to give back, I joined the great volunteers at BGH. I enjoy my volunteer time in Eleanor's cafe, where I can use my customer service skills in serving staff, patients and visitors.

I am looking forward to serving on the BGVA Board and hopefully can provide some useful insight going forward.