The OPFFA is proud to announce the recipients of the Wayne DeMille and the William T. Sanders Awards. Post secondary education requires a significant financial obligation. The OPFFA recognizes this and strives to assist our member’s children in achieving their goals through these scholarships/bursaries.

President LeBlanc stated, “ We are consistently impressed each year by the quality of the applicants for these scholarships and I am proud that the OPFFA has adopted these opportunities in support of our members’ children’s post secondary educational pursuits.”

For further information on how to apply, we invite you to click on the “Scholarship Funds” menu button to the left.

Below you will find the recipients of the years’ awards and, in brackets, the Local of the OPFFA.

WAYNE DEMILLE SCHOLARSHIP

Wayne DeMille, throughout his career with the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association (OPFFA), as a member, a delegate, a consultant, a District Vice President, Executive Secretary-Treasurer and Executive Director, demonstrated commitment to his community and our Association. There are seven individual scholarships (one for each District of the OPFFA) of one thousand dollars available each year. The scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated a commitment to their school, community and home life while at the same time living up to the same "Code of Ethics" as the members of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association.

President LeBlanc announced the recipients of this years’ Awards are as follows:

District # 1 – Toni Burbidge (Vaughan)
District # 2 – Holly Ottenhof (Kingston)
District # 3 – Nicole Gagnon (Midland)
District # 4 – Kayleen Willemsen (Hamilton)
District # 5 – Jill Nelles (Sarnia)
District # 6 – Anastasia Greve (SS Marie)
District # 7 – Samantha Nordlund (Thunder Bay)

WILLIAM T. SANDERS BURSARY

The purpose of this bursary is twofold: it establishes a bursary for children of members of the association who have died in the line of duty (LODD) and will forever honour the name of William T. Sanders. He was instrumental in setting up the Education Seminar program in 1958 and also for recruiting Dr. Eric G. Taylor to serve as discussion leader and teacher. Brother Sanders took on the role of co-coordinator for the seminar program. That concept of education seminars continue to take place at the present time. During his career as an active fire fighter and a labour activist his energies were devoted to enhancing the working conditions of his local and all professional fire fighters in the Province of Ontario.

President LeBlanc announced the recipient of the William T. Sanders bursary for 2009 is Brent Spencer (Toronto).

Congratulations to all!