Bob Engley – Volunteer of the Year – 2026

The John Cole award, named in honour of our first Board chair, is given to the Volunteer of the Year. The Board of Directors had the difficult task of selecting one volunteer from the many deserving candidates. Our Volunteer of the Year is to be a shining example of the values of our organization and his or her service to the Friends organization.

This year’s recipient is Bob Engley. Bob began running the Friends BBQ Team just after The COVID epidemic at a time when the board was searching for a volunteer to step forward and oversee this fund-raising event. Over the intervening years, Bob has consistently shown  strong leadership in organizing the Friends weekly and special events BBQs, ensuring volunteer staff is available and in place, supplies are purchased and in place (often picking them up himself) and that the needed food handling training requirement is done.

Bob has set up a supplier base with discounts being granted to the Friends. Bob most often attends the BBQs to ensure things run smoothly and to offer a friendly greeting to visiting clientele.

Bob has been an invaluable Friends volunteer over the years. The board could think of no one more deserving for our consideration for the Volunteer of the Year award.