Bev
McIver, Zone Director for District Two of the Northern Ontario Hockey
Association, made a special presentation to Holly Pellow, Tournament
Co-Chairperson of the Valley East Minor Hockey Association during the
Annual VEMHA Mickey Mouse/Tyke/Atom tournament on February 18. Each
year, the Canadian Hockey Association recognizes one person per District
for “Outstanding Service To Minor Hockey”. Holly, who has been a
member of the Board of Directors of
the Valley East Minor Hockey Association for the past eight
years, moved to Valley East from Kapuskasing 15 years ago. Her two sons,
Jordan (18), who plays for Confederation Secondary School, and Josh
(16), who plays in the Regional Midget House League, have both
progressed through the system to which she has dedicated herself as a
tireless volunteer.
“This is quite a surprise,” stated Pellow
after she stepped off the ice with her award. “You never expect
something like this when you become a volunteer. I have always enjoyed
getting involved with activities in which my children participate. This
award is a real bonus.”
Besides working in the hockey scene with Jordan
and Josh, Holly has also been very involved with her daughter, Jessica
(21) as she was growing up in the area.
“This tournament is a lot of work,”
explained Pellow when discussing the Annual Tyke-Squirt-Atom Tournament
which was played under her direction. “But I get so much satisfaction
seeing the young children in their jackets and sweaters. And when you
give them their medals and trophies their eyes just light up and you
know that all of the work was worthwhile.”
When asked what advice she had for young
parents with children in hockey and other minor sports, Holly didn’t
hesitate. “Parents have to realize that we need more volunteers to run
an organization. If more parents stepped forward to volunteer to help
out they would see the other side of the organization and would be more
supportive.
Indeed,
Holly Pellow represents dozens of special persons in our community who
put in hundreds of hours each year in order to make sure that our
children enjoy their minor hockey experiences during the winter months.
It is nice to see that this hard work is recognized through the efforts
of the Canadian Hockey Association and other organizations like it.
