J.D. Hogarth celebrates volunteer’s 98th birthday

J.D. Hogarth Public School celebrated one of their most cherished volunteers on her 98th birthday on Wed. Oct. 7.

Elsie Dandy is a veteran of the Second World War, where she served as a nurse for the Canadian Army, stationed outside of London, England.

Dandy has been volunteering at J.D. Hogarth for more than 13 years, working with students two days a week.

At the school, Dandy listens to students as they practice their reading skills and helps teachers with various classroom tasks.

She also teaches students about diversity and acceptance. “I want our young people to be free and happy and learn,” she said earlier this year.

“It doesn’t matter what colour you are or what nationality you are or what religion you are, you’re not all wrong. And I try … to teach [the kids] to look at that and even go home and tell their parents.”

Dandy, a Fergus resident, also volunteers at Groves Memorial Community Hospital and joined the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 275 around 15 years ago. One of the reasons she joined the Legion was because of the support it provides to school-aged children. She called the support and bursaries given to students from the Legion “terribly important.”

“It gives the child an opportunity for competition.”

Categories: Spotlight On Schools