HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-08-26, Page 16Page A16 - rich Signal -Star, Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Midwestern a
help
Volunteers at the Goderich Adult Day After being caregiver to her husband, she nursing or geriatric care can really learn a lot
Center, Flora Hesk and Lois McGill, told said she understands how volunteers help about their fields through the opportunity.
The Signal -Star about their experiences, and shoulder the responsibilty of loved ones. "We have people come in for a few hours
how they feel about volunteering. She said when her husband came to the cen- a week, and we can schedule to fit people's
"I like helping people, so it's great," Hesk ter, it provided him with a chance to enjoy needs," she said. "We can have you come in
said. "And they really appreciate it.' the company of others as well as provide her once a week, once every two weeks, once a
"[The clients] arealways happy to see a chance to have some time to herself. month, whatever works for you."
"It's McGill said. Its a really satisfying "People don't know how important With school starting soon, students could
feeling." [MWADS and volunteering] are until take advantage of the program to both meet
Hesk explained that she volunteers at the they've been involved. The staff is great, and new and interesting people and fill their vol -
center because she knows how hard it can it gives you a good feeling when you leave," unteer hours for their high school diplomas.
be for those caring for family members. Hesk said. Anyone interested in volunteering at the
"I was a caregiver for three years," she Cullen explained that volunteering can Goderich centre, or any of the MWADS
said. "And it's important for caregivers to be very rewarding, and very easy to man- centers throughout the area can call 519 -
have a break, and the center provides that." age. She also said that anyone interested in 524-2228.
SQoft
signal -star staff
Midwestern Adult Day Services is look-
ing for volunteers, and manager of volunteer
services, Angela Cullen, says that there is a
specific need in the kitchen.
"We can use people for pretty much any-
thing, but right now we do need some more
people in the kitchen," Cullen said. "We're
looking for people in the Goderich area to
help with dining."
Cullen recently came on as the manager
for MWADS, and says that people can get a
lot out of volunteering.
Sully speaks to Local 1863 retirees about early Champion days
At the August meeting of the IAM Local head of manufacturing. substantial spare parts business was also en- toba. Additional market gains were made in
1863 Retirees Club, guest speaker Bruce DRMCO manufactured not just road grad- visioned used machine fleet rentals and leases, particu-
Sully, spoke on the early days of marketing ers, but other construction equipment such After a short while, Bruce entered the sales larly for snow plowing contracts. By now, the
DRMCO and Champion Motor Graders. as jaw -crushers and screening plants, which force and was known as "The Kid" by his Champion name was now firmly established
In 1946, Bruce joined the Dominion Road were low volume products. In the 1950s, it competitors. This was in the days of intensive in the domestic motor grader market.
Machinery Co. Ltd. (DRMCO), owned by was decided that DRMCO should specialize competition and every sale counted, especial- It was now time to penetrate the export
his father AVM John A. Sully, in production in one product - motor graders. Manufac- ly when bidding against the heavyweights market. Massive investments were made, in -
control where his brother, John K. Sully, was turfing used production line methods, and a Caterpillar and Adams. At that time, 80 per cluding building a plant in Columbia, South
cent of motor grader sales went to municipal Carolina and entering a joint venture in Thai -
and government customers. With a sales ter- land. With this manufacturing capacity, ex-
ritbry covering most of Southwestern Ontar.- port sales extended from four to 94 countries
io, it wasn't unknown for Bruce to drive over world-wide.
75,000 miles every year trying to secure sales To keep Champion Road Machinery Ltd.
from 500 potential customers. competitive, Bruce ensured the company
Clearly, new strategies were necessary used the latest technologies, such as MRP
so Bruce created and built up the DRMCO/ [Material Requirements Planning], and in -
Champion Sales Company that operated out vested $20,000,000 in plant upgrades using
of Goderich. This successful move expanded Japanese -inspired production methods, and
into branch offices across Ontario and Mani- reducing costs by standardizing engines and
transmissions.
Bruce noted that in
the lean years, particu-
larly during the reces-
sion of the 1980s, IAM
Local 1863 made sig-
nificant concessions
to keep the company
buoyant. This team-
work, together with
the community spirit,
kept the company
moving ahead. From
an annual business
turnover of $245,000
in 1945 to a figure
of $120,000,000 in
1988, Champion be-
came the second larg-
est manufacturer of
motor graders in the
world.
The LAM Local
1863 Retirees Club
meets every third
Wednesday of the
month at the' Safford
Valley Hall starting
at 10 a.m. New mem-
bers
embers are always wel-
come, so please visit,
meet your friends
over fresh coffee, and
enjoy some of the var-
ied programs.
For any further in-
formation, call John
White at 519-524-
7527.
STRICKLAND
TOYOTA'S
Includes..,'
• New oil filter, installed
• Up to 5L 5W20 motor oil
• Cttssis lube (if applicable)
• Comprehensive 55 pt. check over with report card
• Outside vehicle wash