by Leila Castro
On it’s fifth year anniversary celebration held at Maples Collegiate Commons on December 10, 204 Neighbourhood Watch announced its new name, the 204 Volunteers Inc., and gave its highest award, the 1.5 Million Footprints Award, to its six volunteers namely Adel Mina, Beth Olesco, Rhodel Climacosa, Rhommel Climacosa, Manny Adao, and Emy Adao.
The volunteer group decided on using the footprint as the unit of measure to quantify the efforts rendered and resources provided by a volunteer. Every member of the group volunteers with all his/her heart. It cannot be said that one volunteer is excellent while another is only a runner up. Everyone is excellent and shows dedication. When not out to volunteer on a Thursday night, the weekly safe walk of 204 Volunteers Inc., the volunteer is with his/her family, or is working. These acts are of equal importance as volunteering. In the 204 Volunteers Ways and Principles, it is what is called the Family First principle.
Adel Mina takes care of herself to be healthy and be present in almost all the volunteer activities. She refuses to receive any kind of special treatment despite her age of 78. She said that does not need any of it. She walks with the rest of the volunteers, who are mostly half of her age, for hours even on a chilly winter night.
It was Beth Olesco’s husband Rodel Olesco, a member of the Aliw Band in Winnipeg and an equally active volunteer, who introduced her to 204 Volunteers Inc. five years ago. Beth works as a Mortgage Professional at Fi-Nest Mortgage. Every Thursday night, she goes straight to the safe walk, while still in her formal or smart casual work wear. Beth has 3 children and she lives in the Waterford Green area of Tyndall Park neighbourhood.
Brothers Rhodel Olesco and Rhommel Olesco are the most generous donors to 204 Volunteers Inc. Apart from his work at MacDon, Rhodel is the CEO of 24/7 Inc. Rhommel is the owner of Climacosa Services business. Rhodel and Rhommel are both donors and active volunteers of 204 Volunteers Inc. Just like any volunteer, they search playgrounds and parks to find drug paraphernalia, and they also lift heavy logistics such as water bottles, tables, and chairs to set up for events such as vigils.
Husband and wife Emy and Manny Adao ran a bakery business until 2021. For 4 years, every Thursday, they provided to 204 Volunteers Inc. delicious bread snacks. As volunteers, they joined in safe walks and other events of the group.
Those who received the 1 Million Footprints Award were Maj Gonsalves, Tek De Leon, Evo Paguio, Raffy Mercado, Edison Garcia, Ponz Mapuyan, Denny Nangan, Rodel Olesco, Charmaine Hernandez, Maneet Jassal, Edison Garcia, Cielo Casumpang, Toto Sarmento, Mithus Mallari and Felisa Torres.
Also present were the representatives of the businesses that sponsored the event – NEDA Heating & Cooling, Maicontoured Body, JB Junk Removal and Moving Services, CIBC, Chapel Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, Janzen Deign Kitchen & Bath, 204 Printing and Embroidery Services, Agape Insurance and Financial Services, Duque Immigration, Fi-Nest Mortgage, Vocal Arts Winnipeg, Gumban Roofing, Aim World and Climacosa Services.
Building the name and respect for an organization takes time. That is why members of 204 Volunteers Inc. were elated to see that key people in the community celebrated the event with them. Present on the event were the members of WPS Cst. Maria Buduhan, SSgt. Maria Koniuk, Cst. Dale McDonald, and Sgt. Andy Wahl. Politicians who were present were the MLA for Maples Mintu Sandu, the MLA for Burrows Diljeet Brar, the MLA for St. Boniface and the Provincial Leader of the Liberal Party Dougald Lamont, the MLA for Tyndall Cindy Lamoureux, the MP for Winnipeg North Kevin Lamoureux, the Winnipeg School Division Board of Trustees Perla Javate, Ann Evangelista, and Dante Aviso, the Seven Oaks School Division Board of Trustee Derek Dabee.
Community leaders and important stakeholders who joined the celebration were Gemma Dalayoan,and Genalyn Tan of MAFTI, Darryl Cantois of The Evelyn Memorial Search Team, members of the Aurora neighbourhood led by Les Latinecx, members of QPAM led by Maan Urbano, David Pollendine of International Justice Mission, Members of Police Board Moe El Tassi and Mark Schellenberg, and one of the pioneers Roselyn Advincula. Also present were Pastor Andy Capesino, Pastor Vic Cuarto, and Pastor James Castronuevo.
Rodel Olesco rendered the song The Prayer to open the program. Afterwards, Winnipeg Free Press journalist Shelley Cook interviewed five volunteers on stage. Inspiring songs were sung by Ponz Mapuyan and Jovelle Balani. Denny sang the song Kaleidoscope before unveiling the group’s new name and logo. Recognition and award certificates were distributed afterwards. Another highlight of the event was the trivia game facilitated by the 204 Kid Volunteer – nine-year-old Gab Gonsalves. The game was both fun and informative.
Tek De Leon, Denny Nangan and Rodel Olesco were the Masters of Ceremony.
Photo credits to Tek De Leon and Dante Cruz.