Councillor's volunteer appreciation held at Willowdale
Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club hosted Councillor Lily Cheng's volunteer appreciation on Friday, April 19, 2024.
It was an opportunity to showcase our property within the local community and introduce lawn bowling to a group of people who are active locally.
"We wanted to introduce lawn bowling as part of our volunteer recognition event this year," says Councillor Cheng. "As a valuable community resource, Willowdale Lawn Bowling Club is an oasis in the heart of North York."
Vince and Bernie barbecued up a storm, cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for everyone attending. Julie helped with coaching new bowlers and Gay was once again invaluable in the kitchen.
Thanks to everyone who helped out!
Vince and Bernie grilled up a storm for the councillor’s volunteer appreciation event.
Open houses scheduled for early 2024
Please feel free to drop by on one of the following dates to help out with introducing potential new members to the club, the grounds and our sport:
- Sunday, May 5 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 6 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 11 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Monday, May 13 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, May 16 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 26 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- Saturday, June 1 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. (National Bowls Day)
Our sox box runneth over!
Our Warm-Up Barbecue and Sock Drive on February 4 was an unmitigated success!
The event began with a regular short-mat jitney at which members were encouraged to bring friends as an introduction to lawn bowling. A number of members brought friends along, who could not only bowl indoors on a short mat, but because the weather was fantastic, could also bowl outdoors.
At about 3:00 p.m., the short mats were rolled up and the clubhouse configured to accommodate the people we were expecting for our barbecue and socks drive, which was co-sponsored by Councillor Lily Cheng.
Our neighbours from the Willowdale community got to see our facilities and meet many club members.
Councillor Cheng and our president, Suzan Tari, gave short welcoming speeches about the event and our club. Councillor Cheng stayed for the entire event and chatted with members and neighbours alike.
We also received significant donations of socks for the unhoused, refugees and others. We don’t often think about it, but socks are important to those who have less than the majority of us.
In exchange for donations, members and neighbours alike were treated to hamburgers and hot dogs. The cooking crew went nonstop from 3:00 to 5:30. The event was so successful that we ran out of food at the end.
Thanks to everyone for contributing to a successful event: the organizers; members who bowled, brought friends and coached; everyone who helped rearrange the clubhouse; our cooks and kitchen staff who fed everyone; and those who stayed around to clean up the kitchen, clubhouse and grounds after a successful event.
Winter Warm-up BBQ and Sock Drive
co-sponsored with Counillor Lily Cheng
Join us at the clubhouse from 3:15 to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 4. Bring new, unwrapped socks to help us fill our Sox Box and we’ll trade your generosity for a hamburger or hot dog (vegan options will be available).
Councillor Cheng is inviting the broader community to join us. We’re hoping to have the opportunity to talk to people about bowling and the facility. We’d love to have you help us make a positive impact on the community.
We’re going to have some short mat demonstrations and we’re asking club members and community neighbours to donate new, unwrapped socks for the unhoused and other individuals who are particularly vulnerable during the winter months.
If you have the time, please make time to join us at the clubhouse on Sunday, February 4. Help us fill our Sox Box!
Councillor Cheng pays us a visit
Councillor Lily Cheng poses for a picture on the artificial surface on May 13, 2023. With her are (l-r) Don Rayko, Suzan Tari Vince Donohoe, Eric Bergman, Councillor Cheng, Gordon Jones.
Councillor Lily Cheng paid us a visit during our second open house on May 13, 2023.
She arrived about 3:15 p.m. and chatted with a number of people on site, but spent most of her time with a few members of the board of directors and other volunteers. She was originally scheduled to spend an hour, but spent almost two hours listening, asking questions and taking notes.
Board members outlined a number of issues the club is addressing, with emphasis on property management and the ongoing maintenance of the club’s natural lawn bowling greens. The discussion encompassed the lease arrangement for the property on which the club sits, and touched on potential ways in which lawn bowling can be marketed in the community.
“We even discussed conducting a corporate day for councillors that we would be delighted to host,” says Gordon Jones, president of Willowdale LBC. “Councillor Cheng listened to everything we had to say and also offered her own ideas as well. It was an excellent exchange.”
Councillor Cheng made it clear that she’s less interested in short-term solutions than she is in creating a long-term, sustainable framework—particularly when it comes to property management and greens maintenance.
During a spirited and engaging exchange, the councillor asked dozens of questions and took copious notes.
“This meeting was a great start to our relationship with the new councillor,” Jones says. “She seems to be absolutely committed to the Willowdale community. We’re looking forward to helping her to ensure that this facility continues to be a resource for Willowdale for generations to come.”
First open house successful
From there, about 15 people signed up for additional coaching. These folks will be provided with two to three additional coaching sessions over the next few weeks with the goal of turning them into full-time members.
Unfortunately, Councillor Cheng was unable to join us at our first open house. However, we’re looking forward to hosting her at another time during the 2023 season.
Our next open house is Saturday, May 13 at 1:00 p.m. Please join us to help out if you can.