NewmarketToday continues its fifth annual tradition of marking the giving season by celebrating Newmarket's Community Angels — the people whose kindness, compassion and community spirit help make our town one of the best to live in the country.
Newmarket resident Patricia Hawke did not want to stay idle on long-term disability.
Since coming to Newmarket 20 years ago, Hawke has spent plenty of time involved in the community, helping where she is needed. Whether fundraising for the Newmarket Food Pantry, lending a hand at community events, or running the fund she co-founded for veterinary treatments, Hawke has maintained an active volunteer.
Despite struggling with long-term illnesses like arthritis, as well as mental health conditions, Hawke said it is well worth it to spend time helping others, even if it can be draining for her.
“The reason I started volunteering was to get out in the community and meet people, to do something instead of sitting around doing nothing,” Hawke said. “I believe what you give out comes back, and I truly believe I get it back.”
Hawke has helped many different causes over the years. Most recently, she has been a driving force alongside Grace Costa for the Fonzy Fund, which helps families raise money for pet health treatments. Beyond that, Hawke has helped organize the annual fundraising holiday dinner for the Ladies Supper Club, maintained regular volunteer shifts for the Newmarket Food Pantry, Rose of Sharon and Community Living, as well as assisting with charity bingo events.
“I’ve always been a helpful person. I’ve been raised like the good old Catholic mantra, do unto others, help the neighbours. I truly believe we need to be there for each other,” Hawke said.
The regular volunteering earned Hawke recognition in 2017, when she received a member of Parliament medal for volunteer service from then-Newmarket-Aurora MP Kyle Peterson.
“It was actually quite exciting,” Hawke said, adding that there are so many people in the community deserving that recognition. “But it was definitely quite an honour to walk across the stage and receive it.”
Hawke said she does like being appreciated for the work but does not do it for that. She said she hopes others volunteer with many organizations in need, and often pushes others to do so.
Even with the variety of activities she helps with, Hawke said she is looking to add more, starting to volunteer with Community and Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS) to spend some time providing social interaction with a senior.
“It really saddens me to know somebody is there all alone, with nobody to talk,” she said.
Spending time volunteering can take its toll on Hawke, who has to manage a variety of physical and mental health conditions. It can make standing on her feet for hours really difficult, she said.
“But again, I feel good about it (volunteering). What am I doing to do, sit around here doing absolutely nothing all the time?” she said. “I’m better off doing what I do."
And despite those difficulties, she sticks with it. She described how challenging it can be to run something like the Fonzy Fund, but whenever she sees another animal in need, she finds herself willing to get back to it.
“I really honestly don’t feel like I do a lot (of volunteering),” she said. “It’s only a few hours a month, but every little bit helps as far as I’m concerned.”
