At the 2010 Annual General Meeting in May, Fallis was presented with the Sharon Moon Award for her tireless efforts. As a founder and member of the board of directors, she was described by a fellow board member as a “person who cares for others and believes in justice for all people.”

She was instrumental in getting the Co-op incorporated, and has been responsible for partnerships with like-minded organizations (such as the Ottawa Mission for Men, with which the Co-op maintains its largest laundry contract).

The Sharon Moon Award is presented annually to person who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the Co-op. “The real reward has been seeing the Co-op grow, and become a solid, stable organization,” said Fallis.

Haque came to Canada from Bangladesh. Nearly a year ago, she was in search of a part-time job in a non-stressful environment. She found what she was looking for through the Causeway Work Centre (a local community economic development organization that provides employment, educational programs and other supports). Causeway found her work with the Laundry Co-op, and Haque was pleased with the match.

Through the Co-op’s CED Program (where participants are paid for their work on laundry contracts and various other duties around the Co-op), Haque said she developed a range of manual skills, and was also able to earn extra money to pay for medication and a bus pass. She is now a volunteer at the self-service desk.

“I feel comfortable here, it’s a good match for me,” she said.

Chair Karen Fee welcomed participants who came to the event at Heartwood House to learn about the ways in which the Co-op has progressed over the past year, hear members share their stories, and more.

“This has been a year in which we made significant steps toward maturing as an organization – developing valuable operating policies, participating in long-term strategic planning, fostering partnerships with like-minded groups, while all the while continuing to secure funding in tough economic times,” said Fee.

Highlights from 2009

• The Community Laundry Co-op is selected by the Community Health Centres of Ontario as one of the two most successful programs in Ontario born from a Community Health Centre initiative. The Co-op will be featured in a promotional film for Community Health Centres later this year.

• The Co-op is named by the Ottawa Citizen as one of “five great places” to do your laundry.

• The Co-op receives charitable status (we thank First United Church and the Centretown Community Health Centre for allowing us to operate under their financial umbrella for so many years, and we celebrate this latest step in our independence.)

• The Co-op celebrates its tenth anniversary with a party held at Heartwood House in October, where we remembered the early years, raised up the successes of our members, and honoured our volunteers.

AGM Award Winners

The following people received Certificates of Excellence for donating their time to volunteer with the Community Laundry Co-op

• Yadley – 2 years

• Alia Taher – 3 years

• Lucy Valentino – 6 years

• Tammadur Aba Idris – 2 years

• Barry Dyson – 2 years

• Becky Erb – 1 year

• Marie Collins – 4 years

• Amy Holmes – 4 years

• Danielle Allen – 3 years

• Kathy Erb – 4 years

• Leslie Irvine Award Winner – Becky Erb

• Sharon Moon Award – Marg Fallis

The AGM will be held Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at Heartwood House (153 Chapel St., Ottawa) at 5:30 pm.

RSVP by May 17 at info@communitylaundrycoop.ca or 613-244-4762.

When:  Wednesday, March 24 – 1:00 to 4:00 pm

                  Tuesday, March 30 – 4:oo to 7:00 pm

Where: 153 Chapel Street (Corner of Rideau and Chapel) Ottawa

Enjoy refreshments, meet our members, staff and Board members, and learn about all the ways the Community Laundry Co-op creates community!