From building water systems in Botswana to playing a clown in the Santa Claus Parade, Larry Hogarth’s volunteer efforts have been varied throughout his life.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood we sat down with Hogarth, 72, who was recently awarded with the Order of Collingwood.
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Ceylon, Ont., near Flesherton.
Q: What first brought you to Collingwood?
A: I got a job in 1968 after I graduated from Ryerson. I went there for civil technology. I worked with Ainley and Associates doing civil engineering work.
Q: When did you first get interested in volunteering?
A: I think it was very early. My first volunteering was as a clown in the Santa Claus Parade in 1968 or 1969. I lived in Collingwood from ’68 to ’72, before moving to Barrie for a time. I went to Botswana in 1975 for two years with Cuso (Canadian Universities Serving Overseas). It’s a volunteer organization which still exists today. It’s an organization that tries to fill positions in typically third-world countries around the world with teachers, engineers and planners. Back then, it was simpler.
You basically volunteered, but you had a living allowance.
I worked with the department of water equipping wells and putting small water systems in villages. I did that for two years. Then I came back to Collingwood and I’ve been here ever since, in 1977.
Q: Over the years, you have volunteered as a member of the E3 Community Services board for 24 years, volunteered for the Special Olympics World Winter Games, were a charter member of the Collingwood Optimist Club and is a member of the Trinity United Church property committee and cemetery board. What made you want to volunteer with those causes specifically?
A: I like working with people and helping people.
The things I choose, are more technical and organization-related.
I help get stuff done. (laughs)
For example, the Sidelaunch Challenge. We had a boat. My task on that was building a ramp, get it set up and clean it up. I just go help pick stuff up, haul stuff, that sort of thing.
I enjoy making things happen.
There’s a big pergola at the Arboretum. About five years ago, it was rotting. I went there with two or three people, tore out the old and built a new one up.
The cemetery needed some trees, so I got another board member and we went out and planted some trees.
That’s the sort of thing I do. I have a workshop that I like working in and I have tools I like to use. (laughs)
Q: When you first heard you were going to receive the Order of Collingwood, how did that feel for you?
A: I felt quite honoured. I’ve been to a number of the Mayor’s levees and I know a number of people who have been honoured that way in the last 30 years, and I felt honoured to be part of that group.
The people who have been on that list each year have done something to help the community.
There are dozens of others who, I’m sure, do the same as I do and just help out.
I think that’s what makes the community.
Q: Why do you think it’s important to contribute your time to different causes?
A: We’re getting into philosophical stuff here. (laughs)
I feel good about helping people. I just want to do my share.
I can do the technical stuff that some other people can’t. Others are good organizers, presidents or vice presidents. I’m one of the workers, and I like to do that.
Q: What does the future hold for you?
A: I think I’ll just continue doing what I’m doing.
More recently I’ve been doing more work with friends and neighbours who need, I would call it ‘Mr. Fix-It’-type things. I like to do that.
For our feature People of Collingwood, we’ll be speaking with interesting people who are either from or are contributing to the Collingwood community in some way, letting them tell their own stories in their own words. This feature will run on CollingwoodToday every Saturday. If you’d like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].
