Dennis Esterbrooks enjoys people's expressions as one of the many organizations he's involved with gets some much-needed help.
"I enjoy watching the expressions on people's face when you help them out when they're down and out," he said. "They need something and you're in a position to give them that, it's quite rewarding."
Dennis recalled the time he got wind of a couple who were considering selling their house because the wife was sick and the husband was having trouble going up and down the basement stairs to do chores, such as laundry.
"With a quick conversation with them, I was able to present the case to the Lions Club and we got them a chair-lift so they could continue living in their house," he said.
Dennis' role with the Victoria Harbour Lions Club is one among many of his community roles, said Mayor Ted Walker, who noted Dennis is second vice president and sports officer at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 523 and is part of the Tay Canada Day Parade committee along with helping out with Easter Day Parade.
"Dennis has been involved volunteering for ever since I've known him," said Walker. "I've known him for 40 something years. He used to dress as a carnival character and he's helped with the Lions Club. He sits on one of our committees.
"He's just always been involved with everything. He does anything he could do to help the community with fundraising and anything (else). And he's such a pleasant guy."
Dennis said he's "quite proud" to have been selected as the township's Citizen of the Year but is quick to add that he couldn't have done any of his volunteer work without the support of Ruth Esterbrooks, his wife of 54 years.
"My wife has stood beside me thick and thin," he said. "We are both involved with the legion. She does the pancake breakfast and the fish fry. We just have the same basic bloodlines that say to give back is better than to just sit by and watch things go to pot."
In fact, Dennis suggested the township make this a couples' award, a notion Walker said council might want to consider in the future.
"We really are blessed with so many volunteers in Tay," Walker said. "It's increasingly difficult to centre out one person. It's just a way of expressing our thanks to the volunteer because if it wasn't for them, a lot of the programs and functions that go on, just wouldn't happen."
It's nice to be recognized for community volunteer work, said Dennis.
"For them to recognize me as citizen of the year, it's quite impressive," he said. "I don't do a lot of it for recogniztion. I do it because I'm proud to be giving a little back to the community. There are so many people that the township could have considered for this award, a lot of them I personally know, and for me to receive it is quite rewarding."
Dennis said younger residents need to step up to keep all events in the community flowing and hopes that him receiving the award will encourage others to consider taking over some of the roles in which senior volunteers are currently involved.
Walker said the township will look into organizing a recognition ceremony once restrictions are lifted.
