The Meaford Chamber of Commerce Community Awards is a testimonial to the dedication, innovation, and service that businesses and volunteers lend to their community, according to Meaford Mayor Barb Clumpus, who welcomed nominees and guests during the 20th annual awards dinner and presentations on April 7, at the Meaford and St. Vincent Community Centre.
Forty-seven businesses, individuals, and organizations and service clubs were nominated for awards in eight categories. Nominations were also received for the Rotary Club of Meaford Citizen of the Year and Youth Citizen of the Year awards.
Danielle Kane was presented the Rotary Club’s Youth Citizen of Year by Past-President and President-Elect Bernard Brunner.
“Danielle personifies ‘to a T’ the criteria necessary to win this award,” Bernard said, listing among Danielle’s community contributions her volunteer work with both elementary and high school activities and projects, the Beaver Valley Outreach, Friends of the Library, and her figure skating club. She also organized a Hallowe’en for Hunger fundraiser and a Christmas card drive for a terminally-ill young boy. “When our committee became aware of Danielle’s activities, we sat up and took notice,” he said.
The Rotary Citizen of the Year Award was presented to two long-standing community volunteers, Verla Cramp-White and Marjorie Keenan. “This year’s Rotary Citizen of the Year Award is a joint award to two very community-minded ladies who work closely together,” Bernard said.
Verla and Marjorie have volunteered for the Meaford Curling Club for many years. Verla is a member of the board, organizes the annual service club bonspiel, and has been in charge of the kitchen and catering since the 1980s. She is the longest-serving active member of the curling club. Marge assists Verla with the kitchen and catering.
Verla is president and a long-time member of the Meaford and St. Vincent Agricultural Society, and volunteers at the Meaford Long Term Care Home and at the Meaford United Church.
Marjorie has volunteered at Midas Mart for approximately 20 years. She also volunteers for the Meaford United Church and the Meaford and St. Vincent Agriculture Society. She has volunteered with the Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival, canvassed for the Cancer Society and Heart and Stroke, and volunteered during blood clinics.
The Farmer of the Year Award was presented to Henry Reinders; Special Merit Award to Meaford Knights Hockey Team; the Peter Francis Memorial Award to Shannon-Lee Wilkie, and Tourism Award to Paul Bishop of Ride on Bikes. The Agribusiness Award went to Coffin Ridge; Most improved Business to Knight’s Home Building Centre; Customer Service Award to Razor it Up; and Business of the Year Award to Leeky Canoe.
Photo: Brenda Tullio presents the Business Owner of the Year Award to Leeky Canoe owners Michelle and Sean Crooks. Be sure to pick up this Thursday’s print edition of The Meaford Independent for photos of all of this year’s winners.
