JASON COLERO
Toronto Argonauts Manager, Community Relations
Jason Colero started as a water boy and now, 27 years later, he’s the heart and soul of Argos’ community outreach programs. The friendly and energetic Manager of Community Relations now educates youth through a myriad of programs he leads throughout the GTA.
_________________________________________
I remember listening to former Toronto Argonauts defensive back Chuck Winters give a speech to some high school students and talk about a beginning date an end date, and the dash in between. The concept was borrowed from the poet Linda Ellis who wrote, “The Dash”. It was a profound statement and it was something I thought about for many months after I heard Chuck first say it. Recently, with the passing of two individuals that I knew through my dealings with the Argos, that dash means more.
Over the holidays the Argonauts lost a great member of the alumni, Charles “Chick” Red Camilleri. Aside from being only 145 lbs. and a member of the 1946 and 1947 Grey Cup teams, the dash in his life represented a lot more than just football. He was a World War II veteran that served in the Canadian Navy. After attending a celebration of his life a week or so ago, I realized that Charlie, affectionately known as Chick, played a major role not only on the field but he was also beloved off the field.
He was beloved as an executive at CBS records where he worked after football. But most importantly, to what I do, Charlie Camilleri will long be remembered for his volunteerism at Variety Club Canada. He was a key driving force in the organization of the infamous, “Meet the Argos Luncheon”. Through his amazing services he was a recipient of the Heart Award which is Variety – The Children’s Charity’s most prestigious mark of distinction, honouring individuals and organizations that have made exceptional philanthropic contributions throughout Ontario and Canada.
Most recently, Charlie helped organize a lunch for some of the alumni to meet and reminisce about the good old days with the Double Blue. Speaking at the memorial were the likes of Zeke O’Connor, Peter Martin and Adam Rita. They all explained what an impact Charlie made to everything in which they were involved.
Long before I got a job with the Argos, I recall my Dad telling me about this small Maltese football player that was 145 lbs. (my family is Maltese!). In a way, it gave me hope when I was only 4-feet tall with dreams one day playing for the Argonauts. 27 years later, I realize that this small player had a big heart and the dash in his life made quite an impact in the world of volunteerism.
In December of 2001, I received a phone call from someone inquiring about getting a charity hockey game together and what it would take. That was the beginning of the Mineral Cup in Bancroft, Ontario featuring the Argonauts. The game would continue annually until 2005. Out of this game a charity was formed to assist Minor sports in the area and it was called “Giving B.A.A.C.K.”. The hockey game eventually turned into an annual charity golf tournament.
Over the years, many Argonauts were made to feel welcome whenever they attended the golf or hockey event in Bancroft, and it was all possible because of one person that lived his dash to the limit, Darryl Carleton. He was just a fan that made a phone call one day and became a part of a lot of lives. Sadly though, Darryl passed away this January and will be missed but long remembered. When I asked former Argos great, Adrion ‘Pee Wee’ Smith what he felt the trip to Bancroft did for us he replied, “The Argos, along with Darryl Carleton, created an event that lasted years and years, and the support that we gave each other I cannot put into words. To this day, I still talk about Bancroft and the memories that I have and I will never forget them.” It was a truly meaningful thing that Darryl did for the Argos, their fans and his hometown of Bancroft.
There are many people who have passed on and once they have left us, we reflect on what their dash represented. I know that every time I do something, whether it’s an assembly or talk to someone that is being bullied, I always think about the dash. I wonder what my dash will represent and hope that it’s like that of Chick and Darryl. Make your dash count, too!
“Make your passion your life and no one can take that away.”
– Jason