David Saunders comes from a long line of Collingwood residents and community volunteers, and he credits his own volunteerism to the family philosophy: a town isn't just something you live in.
For this week’s edition of People of Collingwood we sat down with Saunders, 71, recent Order of Collingwood recipient and avid local volunteer.
Q: For how long have you lived in Collingwood?
A: Forever. (laughs)
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your family roots in town?
A: I’m not sure about the entire history, but my great grandmother was born here in the late 1860s. How the Saunders family got here isn’t my area of expertise, but they came in the late 1880s.
My grandmother was born on the Manitoulin in the 1880s, so the roots are deep.
When my dad came home from the (Second World) War, he bought an existing photography shop. This was in 1945 on the main street. He grew it.
He was in the school supply business, and with school boards developing he could see the writing on the wall, so he started in the book wholesaling business.
My brother and my dad got more into the books. I had the store.
I was with the book company until 1996.
Q: Volunteering has been an integral part of your family history. Can you tell me a little bit about that?
A: It’s not really something we think about. There’s no plan, but I think we were all brought up to think that any town is a living, breathing thing.
A town isn’t something you just live in. I think it was just a natural thing. My grandfather was the recording secretary for the Anglican church for 25 years. You just did it.
When my dad came back to Collingwood, he was an entrepreneur, but he realized you get out what you give. He was president of the chamber of commerce.
My first volunteer work here was when I was 14. We did a street festival called The Festival of Flowers. I got volun-told into that one. (laughs)
I have difficulty saying no. Less-so now. The past couple of years have been more physically challenging for me so I’ve had to kind of be a steward of my own energies so I don’t let people down.
Currently, I’m chairman of the Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts. My wife and I are both very involved in the social side of church work. I was also vice-chairman of the Housing Resource Centre.
My biggest thing is wanting to help fill the need here.
Collingwood is tremendously blessed with a lot of volunteers, but I think we could do with a little co-ordination. We’re falling all over each other sometimes. (laughs)
Q: When you found out you were going to receive the Order of Collingwood, how did you feel?
A: Well, I was sick in bed.
We got this letter from the town and I assumed we’d left garbage on the boulevard or something. (laughs)
It was a total surprise. You don’t do these things thinking you’re going to get a reward or accolade. I was a little bit embarrassed because I thought there were others who should get that. Not me!
I’m super pleased.
Q: Why did you opt to choose these causes in particular? Why are they important to you?
A: They asked. (laughs)
My dad also did some painting. My brother, sister and I were all brought up in the arts, so that was a natural thing for me.
The other side of it is, we have some family members who have struggled. My mom and dad weren’t always in the best financial shape. They lived hand to mouth when we were kids.
A lot of the people who are struggling in Collingwood – I know those people. I went to school with some of them.
I help with the (monthly) community dinner at (Trinity) United Church... for some of us it’s the most fun.
We’ve got to know the (people who attend). We eat together. I think we add a friendlier dimension to (the situation). They’re people.
Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: I like to paint. I’m not much of a reader. Watch a little TV. I teach pickleball. I do a lot of painting, and I sell a lot of paintings as well.
Q: What does the future hold for you? Do you have any volunteer goals?
A: Yes. With the BMFA, this is my last year as chair. It’s a two-year term and I’m on my third year. (laughs) I would like it to progress. There’s an arts and entertainment group in Collingwood and I’m not part of it, but I’m certainly in their corner so the BMFA can continue to develop.
Collingwood is a wonderful place, but it’s light years behind when it comes to the cultural side of things. I think it’s often overlooked how much value the culture side of life gives to a community or the economy. It has a value.
Q: Is there anything else you want people in Collingwood to know about you?
A: It’s all fun. You can’t beat fun for a good time.
The next project is always the most important project for me.
Most of my life has been without a plan.
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 runs on CollingwoodToday every Saturday. If you’d like to nominate or suggest someone to be featured in People of Collingwood, email [email protected].
