Hardworking seniors at heart of community partnership North York games attract hundreds   Wednesday June 9, 2010 -- Lisa Bailey Remarkably hardworking and dedicated people form the backbone of a community partnership with Leisureworld, says director of marketing Andrea Levine. They’re seniors who donate untold hours and labour doing everything from promotion to staging the various events for the North York Senior Games. Many of the faces around the planning table and out in the field are familiar, coming back year after year to provide an amateur-level competition that promotes healthy, active living amongst those age 55 and older. “They give so much back and they work so hard on these games, hours and hours of volunteer work,” says Levine, who has been on the organizing committee for several years. She’s referring to people like co-chair Al Hunter. The 80-year-old, who still runs a business, has helped to plan the games for 20 years, 15 of them as chair. He says you “can’t count the hours” that go into staging the games. Planning begins months in advance. “It’s a lot of work,” Hunter says, but he keeps coming back because he enjoys the people and “seeing people have fun.” Hunter’s been around so long that he knew 46 of 48 entrants in a golfing event at this year’s games, which ended Monday. But Hunter, who says he’s volunteered for various organizations all his life, believes he should “put more into life than I take out.” “If the whole world does that it would be a better place to live in,” he says. In their 28th year, the North York Senior Games featured 19 active and passive activities held at various venues in the region from April to June. Hunter estimates about 500 competitors took part. Gold, silver and bronze medallists in each event will be honoured at an awards banquet June 15. Winners from North York and 38 other district games held around Ontario qualify for the provincial summer games, which are held only in even-numbered years and go in Oshawa in August. What sets the North York games apart is that they are “very proactive,” Levine says. Networking for support contributes to the fact that most of the activities are offered free of charge. Hunter notes “participants don’t pay a nickel” and acknowledges the great support of many sponsors like Leisureworld, Delmanor and others to cover costs and offer everything from free pizza to golf shirts. If you have feedback on this article, please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 25, or e-mail lisa(at)axiomnews.ca.