Bolton men join St. John Ambulance board

Bill Coyle and Paul Hong, two long-time Bolton residents, were elected to the board of directors of St. John Ambulance (SJA) at its annual general meeting.

Honourary Air Force Colonel Bill Coyle has deep roots in the aerospace industry, having served as executive vice-president of Allied Signal Aerospace (now Honeywell) company. Coyle is currently on the board of governors at the Royal Military College of Canada, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Flying Centre, and serves on the Prime Minister of Canada's Science Advisory Council.

Paul Hong is currently a naval officer in the Canadian Forces. A graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business, the University of Western Ontario, and Osgoode Hall Law School, Hong has extensive ties to the Bolton community, where he serves as organist at Holy Family Church. Hong was recently appointed an Aide-de-camp to the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable James K. Bartleman. In his civilian career, Hong works at an international law firm in Toronto and volunteers for several community organizations in Caledon.

St. John Ambulance is an international charitable organization with more than 25,000 volunteers in Canada. In Brampton, members of SJA devote over 20,000 hours per year of volunteer community service hours. These hours are given through the following ways.

In 2005, their Adult Medical First Response unit has provided First Aid Coverage at more than 75 duties in the Brampton

community; many of those sponsored by the City of Brampton and local community groups such as the Heart and Stroke foundation and the Canadian Cancer society. On an annual basis, their volunteers treat hundreds of patients, being the first on the scene at the various functions they attend. These highly trained individuals provide quality First Aid while ensuring patient's comfort and privacy.

The youth division is comprised of younger members (age 6-20) who are committed to training and

learning the skills to eventually become members of the Medical First Response unit and continue serving their community.

The Therapy Dog division of St. John Ambulance, Brampton Branch, is their fastestgrowing charitable service and one of the largest in Ontario. These volunteers and their canine partners provide comfort and companionship to people in palliative car with, limited mobility through regular visits to seniors' residences, nursing homes, group homes and hospitals.

The newest division, Car Seat Technician, since November of 2005 has assisted parents and caregivers with the installation of their infant/child car seats. To date they have dedicated more than 500 hours and assisted with the installation of more than 230 seats.

The organization is always looking for more interested volunteers so that they can better serve the Caledon community. You can reach them at 905-459- 2440 or through their Web site at www.sja.on.ca/brampton.