Volunteer Appreciation: Blyth's Herman Mooy makes his presence known

BY SCOTT STEPHENSON

When Herman Mooy first arrived in Blyth, he set about putting down roots the best way he knew how: rolling up his sleeves, asking “what needs done?” and pitching in to help. In the 14 years since, Mooy has volunteered for countless community events all over Huron County. He’s worked to beautify the village, cook breakfasts, help to organize the Threshers Reunion each year, monitor the Blyth Campground against scofflaws and even pitch in at the Van Egmond House in Seaforth. Last week, The Citizen sat down with Mooy to hear all about the highlights from all his years as one of Huron County’s top volunteers. 

 

When he first began volunteering, Mooy was just looking to do something for his new community. “I wanted to be involved, get known and meet people,” he told The Citizen. “Volunteering integrates you with the people. You get to know them and they get to know you - it brings you into the community. That was the whole idea when I first asked how to get involved.”

 

He decided to start by lending his volunteer talents to the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby Association’s annual reunion in Blyth. As a newcomer, however, Mooy wasn’t sure where to start, so he decided to ask somebody already in the know. “I asked Gary Courtney how to get involved with the Threshers. He said, ‘Go there when they’re setting up - somebody will just give you a job,’” Mooy recalled. “Well, I went there and nobody approached me about doing anything.”

 

Undeterred by the lack of curiosity, he decided to jump in anyway. “They were unloading garbage barrels and I just joined in and started unloading garbage barrels - you know, with the guys on the other side of the wagon,” he explained. “And then, we picked them up after the show was over - and that’s how my involvement began.”

 

From those early days unloading garbage barrels, Mooy’s responsibilities steadily expanded. Today, he and his wife Marlene are responsible for organizing camping for the event - a major logistical undertaking that supports one of North Huron’s largest annual gatherings. 

 

His experience with Threshers has taught Mooy that sometimes, you have to create your own opportunities when trying to become part of a new community. “You don’t always get asked to volunteer,” he pointed out. “You sometimes have to just muscle your way in - once they see you and get to know you, from there on, it grows.”

 

And grow it did! From there, Mooy quickly became involved with other community projects. “Gosh, it’s hard to know, because I got involved with everything just about all at the same time,” he recalled.

 

Another earlier contribution in Blyth was helping Lissa Kolkman to establish The Friends of the Village of Blyth - a group dedicated to community beautification and public horticulture. “But don’t put me down as the originator,” Mooy insisted. “It would have been all Lissa’s idea.”

 

His volunteer experience has also extended beyond Blyth - he’s also lent a helping hand at events like the International Plowing Matches held in Harriston, Mitchell and Walton. “Doesn’t matter what it is - the people mover, tractor, camping, shuttles… and if they need help somewhere else, I’m there!” he declared.

 

Mooy believes that the spirit of volunteering means having a willingness to fill in the gaps, wherever they appear. It’s a mentality he’s been cultivating ever since his very first volunteer experience with the Cookstown Lions Club in 1974. “Service clubs realize the need - whether it’s playground equipment or other things - and they work toward the betterment of the community,” he said.
Across Huron County, that philosophy has guided his work across multiple organizations. That includes his long-standing involvement with Seaforth’s historic Van Egmond House - yet another of Mooy’s essential volunteer roles that began most modestly.

 

“That started about 12 years ago - I was just volunteering at the breakfast,” he told The Citizen. “You know how it happens - they talk you into becoming a member of the executive, and the first thing you know, you’re in charge. And I’ve been in charge there for seven years now!”

 

Under his leadership, the site has seen meaningful development, including one of its most significant recent projects: the establishment of the Britannia Picnic Pavilion in 2025. The covered gathering space, named in honour of Seaforth’s former Masonic Hall, stands as a lasting example of how volunteer-driven efforts can enhance shared community spaces.
Despite the scope of his involvement, Mooy remains clear-eyed about the realities of volunteering. Time and energy are not unlimited resources and even the most dedicated community members must find balance - volunteer fatigue is an all-too-real risk. “At one point I took on too much. I was doing gardens for North Huron, Threshers and the Lions Club - Friends of Blyth had lots of volunteers, so I stepped back from that.”

 

Today, in addition to his ongoing work with Threshers and Van Egmond House, Mooy has also spent the past four years serving as North Huron’s park monitor - a role that brings its own unique challenges. “When staff are not there, people were camping by coming late and leaving early without paying,” he explained. “My job has been to apprehend them!”

 

Through it all, his sense of purpose has remained steady. “I’m most proud of Threshers and Van Egmond House. That’s where I’ve put the most work in… Threshers and Van Egmond House have also brought me the most joy - they can be joy and headache at the same time, but ‘rewarding’ is probably the best word.”

 

He also sees ways to improve community spirit in more subtle ways - like sharing the bounty of his annual vegetable garden. “I share my garden with anybody and everybody who wants anything,” he said. “I grow more than we can put down or preserve.”
His advice to all the would-be volunteers out there is to just do it! “Don’t wait to be asked - sometimes you have to step in and start helping,” he advised The Citizen. As for the future, Mooy shows no signs of slowing down the volunteer train. “With Threshers, I’ll be the camping chair until they throw me out - which they won’t!”