This team includes the following POAO Southwest Branch Members: Scott Large (Area Manager, Sarnia P & P) and Christine Gunn (Probation Officer, MCYS, Southwest Branch Secretary) as well as their spouses, Kate Large and Brian Gunn. Also riding for the Pacers are Kate's dad, Charlie McGinley, and friends Wendy Ferguson and Ann and Stan Newman. Way to go, Pacers!

Probation Officers and Support Staff from the London Centre, London East and London Youth Offices participated in the Cancer Society's Relay for Life on Friday, June 16, 2006 held in London at UWO.

The team consisted of Louise Matthews, Mary Pinder, Dana Lindsay, Shannon Ogden, Marianne Findlay, Simon Protopapas, Liz Alder, Chris Mantik and Kara McFarlen...along with members of Mary Pinder's family.

Thank you to our friends and colleagues who so generously sponsored us and purchased tickets in support of the various raffles that were held! In total the "Cancer Whoas" team has raised approximately $4,700.00! What an awesome team effort!!! Congratulations to everyone who participated in this most worthy cause! A special thank-you to our Captain Mary Pinder who was an excellent leader and inspiration for us all !!! See you next year and until then !!!

A Southwest Branch team of POAO members competed at the OPP Curling Bonspiel which was being held in support of the Sunshine Foundation, in St. Mary's on March 22/06.

Although not overly successful in the curling, the team showed their true spirit by having a great time, and networked with many police officer's and those in other related employment - and cleaned up at the prize table! Pictured left to right: Melodie McClure (lead) Angela Baffes (second) Judith McAdam (vice) Jeff Clarke (skip)

On July 23 and 24, 2005, Southwest Branch was represented by two separate teams riding in the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Bike Tour. The Grand Bend to London (and back!) ride raised over $500,000 with over 900 cyclists participating.

The "Cranky Crime Crankers" which included POAO members Bill Szewczuk, Catherine Lehti, Maurice Keidan, and Joan McSweeney, raised $5476. The "POAO Pacers", which included members Scott Large, Christine Gunn, Shawn Jean and Jeff Turner raised $2842. Way to go Southwest Branch!

Probation Services of Oxford put a team into the Canadian Cancer Society's RELAY FOR LIFE event, which was held Friday June 24, 2005 at College Avenue Secondary School in Woodstock. The team consisted of:

Judith McAdam - Youth Justice Services

Susan Masters ~ Youth Justice Services

Etty Van Dijken ~ Youth Justice Services

Ross Leslie ~ Youth Justice Services

Sheilagh McDonald ~ Youth Justice Services

Sherri Thibeault ~ P&P

Linda Bramer ~ P&P

... along with spouses and members of Community Options for Justice, Ruth Merrill and Rory Offen. We called ourselves "JUSTICE SNEAKERS: CORRECTIONS WORKERS SEEKING JUSTICE AGAINST CANCER." The PO's "camped out" in lawn chairs with nothing but solar powered lanterns to keep warm and intermittently walked around the Terry Fox Track.

But that wasn't the hard part .... each team member canvassed in their offices, their neighbourhoods and within their famillies to raise pledges for this great cause. Each team member was required to have a minimum of $100 in pledges (min. $1000 per team.) But being the type of Probation Officers who love a challenge, we set our sights much higher than $100 each.

I am very pleased to announce that the JUSTICE SNEAKERS raised $2253 in pledges to help rid society of this terrible disease. In fact, we are one of the top teams for pledges.

Thanks for your support,

Sheilagh McDonald

Team Captain

POAO Southwest Branch was at it once again, riding the Big Bike for Heart and Stroke at the Point Edward Charity Casino (Sarnia) on May 25, 2005. This year, the branch raised $4423.75 for this worthwhile cause. Kudos to POAO retiree, Terry Bull, who raised over $500 and graciously gave the freebie seat to his wife! Usual branch hijinx was in store with the likes of Sue Carey, who came armed with water balloons! Special thanks to Jeff Turner and Phil Kuz for their personal rivalry via e-mails copied to all of our riders earlier in the day. Their comedy act was a real motivator and we were all psyched! Any guts out there for a branch to branch Big Bike challenge for 2006?