BURROWS NAMED VOLUNTEER OF YEAR
The Ontario Junior Hockey League today announced that Lorna Burrows (pictured middle with bag - photo courtesy of the Stouffville Spirit) of the Stouffville Spirit has been named the recipient of the OJHL Volunteer-of-the-Year Award.
Lorna Burrows is the heart and soul of the Stouffville Spirit operation. A staple at the Stouffville Arena on game days and nights, the 76-year old native of Stouffville is well known by all that have crossed her path during a 15-year affiliation with the Spirit.
Always one of the first and last at the rink, Burrows co-ordinates the Spirit's game day operations as the club's Game Operations Manager, while also cheering on her beloved team as one of the club's biggest supporters. She can often be found in the bleachers chanting 'Go Spirit Go,' when not otherwise occupied.
Burrows role includes greeting and organizing the other volunteers as they arrive, while cheerfully handing out assignments. She herself can often be found during breaks in the action selling 50/50 tickets for the night. Following games, she is the one preparing the bank statements in the shadow of a darkened area long after everyone else has left the building, while also storing all the game day equipment and preparing things for the next game.
While her main role is at the arena, Burrows is also one of biggest contributors away from the rink as well, volunteering her services at numerous charitable endeavours. This season, when one of the Spirit's long-time fans, and a former team volunteer, lost his driver's license due to problems with his vision, Burrows was the first one in line to offer him a ride both to-and-from the rink, which she would continue to do throughout the season.
Lorna, as everyone calls her affectionately, wears her fondness for the team and the community on her sleeve. She will greet everyone as they enter the arena each night, from both teams, and seemingly has time to pause what she is doing and speak to each and every one of them, making their experience that much more enjoyable.
The OJHL Volunteer-of-the-Year is awarded annually to the person who has volunteered for a club(s) that is adjudged to consistently have gone above & beyond the call of duty for his/her member club throughout the course of the regular season, while past experience and time served will be taken into consideration.
Joe Goldenberg of the North York Rangers was runner-up in the OJHL award selection to Burrows.
Goldenberg has spent the better part of 50 years in the Rangers Junior 'A' and Goulding Park minor hockey organizations, dating back to the inception of the OJHL in the early 1970's. A man of many hats within the Rangers organization since joining them in 1995, as well as North York's previous Junior 'A' franchises, Goldenberg is selfless with his time and is responsible for the club's game day operations and as the equipment manager.
The OJHL Coach-of-the-Year and Most Improved Player will be announced later this week.
2016-17 OJHL Award Winners
Award Winner Runner-Up
Top Scorer Jack Jacome (GEO) Brayden Stortz (WEL)
Top Goaltender Stefano Durante (COB) Josh Astorino (GEO)
Executive Greg Walters (GEO) Brent Tully (COB)
Humanitarian Kyle Clarke (NYR) Josh Maguire (COB)
Trainer Sarah Ditmars (TRE) Amanda Gilroy (WHI)
Volunteer Lorna Burrows (STO) Joe Goldenberg (NYR)
Previous OJHL Volunteer-of-the-Year Recipients
Award Winner Runner-Up
2015-16 Jodi Lanzarotta (MAR) Vivienne Bridgeford (AUR)
2014-15 John McDonald (TRE) Kim Anderson (NEW)
2013-14 Hal Gies (MIL) n/a
2012-13 Mike Johnson (ORA) Katarina French (PIC)
2011-12 Karen Sheppard (PIC/WHI) Kim Anderson (NEW)
