Local resident, volunteer chosen as torchbearer
Jun 24, 2009 - 04:30 AM
By Kristen Calis
PICKERING -- Although the weather was hot when Pickering resident Mike Garvey was passed a ceremonial Olympic torch on Tuesday, it will be drastically different when he helps it pass through Durham.
The Community Care Durham volunteer was selected as a 2010 Olympic torchbearer by RBC Royal Bank, Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games sponsor. He'll carry the torch through part of Durham in late December. The exact spot hasn't been finalized.
The Carry the Torch contest gives people making a difference in communities the chance to be part of the Olympic experience.
"It was kind of exciting," Mr. Garvey said of getting the news he got the spot, at an event at the RBC branch at Glenanna and Kingston Roads.
Mr. Garvey saw the ad on television and promptly applied online. Part of the contest involves pledging to make Canada a better place. His pledge was "to create stronger communities by visiting with seniors on a regular basis."
The former CGC Inc. employee retired in January and began volunteering at Community Care in February, driving seniors to appointments or takes them grocery shopping about three times a week.
"It's good," he said of volunteering. "I get to meet some very interesting people."
Olympic hopeful for the London 2012 Olympic Games, sprinter Fatih Stanley, passed Mr. Garvey the ceremonial torch. The Toronto resident, who trains three hours a day, five times a week, has his own pledge.
"I pledge to create a better Canada by making sure I only drive when I can't walk, jog, ride or run," he pledged on the RBC website.
He said at the ceremony he's a little envious of Mr. Garvey because the torch, symbolizing unity and community, means so much.
"The Olympics to me are about hope, dreams and, more importantly than anything, community and unity," he said.
Mr. Garvey's not nervous about the relay since it's only 300 metres long. But he's pretty sure his wife and kids will be there to cheer him on.
"They're pretty excited, too," he said.
He has hopes for Canada in 2010 and enjoys all sports, but especially hockey.
"I think we'll do well," he said.
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