The Sarnia Community Foundation is accepting nominations for this year’s Women of Excellence Awards.
Article content
Now in their eighth year, the awards honor women whose outstanding achievements and contributions have enhanced the community and advanced its quality of life.
Article content
Nominations will be accepted until April 5. Forms can be obtained at sarniacommunityfoundation.ca or by calling the foundation office at 519-332-2588.
This year’s honorees will be celebrated at a June 6 luncheon at the Dante Club in Sarnia. Ticket information and this year’s guest speaker will be announced soon, said Mike Barron, the foundation’s executive director.
The celebration will be like one the foundation held last year, he said.
“It was a powerful day,” with about 140 attending and Sarnia police Deputy Chief Julie Craddock and a senior leader from Imperial Oil’s Sarnia site speaking, Barron said. “It was elevating for the profile of the foundation, but also recognized the women in our community who do great work.”
Article content
Event proceeds were donated to local charities, he said. “We gave $2,000 to the Women’s Interval Home and $2,000 to Victim Services.”
Twelve women nominated last year and five selected by a foundation committee, Barron said.
2023 honorees Madhu Baker, Kathy Bresett, Michelle Holbrook, Terry MacDonald and Deanna Sandrin were selected from among 12 nominees by a foundation committee, Barron said.
It’s expected a similar number will be honored this year, he said. “I know we’ve had contact from a number of organizations already, so I think we’ll probably have a good response” to the call for nominations.
Honorees tend to include a variety of individuals working in social services, business, the arts, sports and other areas, Barron said.
“It’s probably the ones who aren’t out there looking for recognition,” he added.
The foundation also has funds to support women in the community, including the Jean Macdougall fund for women in politics, the Blue Eyes Big Heart scholarship for women escaping abusive situations and a University Women’s scholarship, Barron said.
Since it was established in 1983, the Sarnia Community Foundation has awarded more than $10 million to organizations and projects in Sarnia and other Lambton County communities.
Share this article in your social network