Good
morning Leslie,
My name is
Steve R, and I am humbled to be sending a word of confirmation, but more
so admiration for Olivia. She asked if I could email you and back up the fact
that she completed a 3 hour volunteer appearance at a Tour De Rock function, as
a pre requisite for her leadership program.
As a police
Officer, it would be easy for me to send that confirmation and simply sign the
bottom of the email and carry on with my day. But through the contacts,
conversations and ongoing interest I have in Olivia’s progress, I feel that she
deserves so much more than a “box check”.
I have been
a Saanich Police Officer for 11 years and heavily involved with the Tour De
Rock since 2010. I have been on the Board of Directors, a fulltime member of
the physical Training Team and my primary role while on Tour is the Emcee. I
gave a keynote speech in Parksville a few years ago, which is when I met
Olivia.
I remember
feeling devastated after hearing her Cancer journey, and nervous for her when I
learned she would be addressing the crowd with her story. I can tell you that
my nerves for this young girl, standing in front of a room full of strangers
immediately disappeared the moment she spoke. She lead a room full of adults on
an honest, humble yet warrior like story of her struggles, her victories and
her future plans. I can’t recall a moment during that talk that I heard a
single person in the room breath.
Since that
night, Olivia has evolved into my favorite part of Tour. Her public speaking
ability has risen to unprecedented levels, and her ability to promote positive
change through effort is humbling. I have a very special connection to Olivia
as a Cancer survivor myself, but the truth is, she’s just an awesome human
being.
Olivia
spoke again this year in Parksville, and not only did she help the team really
“get it” when it came to their Tour experience, but every single support crew
member voluntarily attended the function in hopes that Olivia would be there
speaking again.
My
daughters are 10 and 7, and as a dad, I constantly navigate through the
realities of parenthood and strive to have Brooklyn and Jordyn respect
themselves, trust their own judgements, and become thriving, independent women
that I can look to with admiration. If I could have them mirror the behaviors
and the empathetic nature of another young woman as a role model, it would be
Olivia.
Did she
attend and volunteer her time for 3 hours at an event………..yes she did.
More
importantly Olivia allows herself to be vulnerable, to create positive impact
on others lives simply by sharing a room with them, and she restores people’s
faith in humanity.
I have her
back for life, and I give you my confident endorsement that any program would
benefit from her presence.
Should you
have any questions, require any further feedback or simply want to hear a 42
year old man talk about his hero who happens to be a teenager, don’t hesitate
to contact me.
Steve R
