A group helping people fleeing Ukraine, a person dedicated to making the community safer for all, and the founders of accessible hockey and lacrosse programs for girls are among a dozen individuals and groups Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley is honoring this year.
The Mayor’s Honor List, established by the late Marceil Saddy in 1981, and continued by Bradley since 1989 honors individuals and groups in Sarnia-Lambton who help improve quality of life or make significant contributions to the area.
“The list is a tribute to the unsung people and groups in the community who make a difference in trying to create a good and just community and society,” Bradley said.
“It is living proof that individual citizens and groups can make a difference.”
An event to honor recipients will be held some time in 2023, he said.
This year’s recipients are:
• Sarnia Blessings founder Kevin Allen, who works with a group of volunteers to deliver meals to seniors and others at home recovering from surgeries.
• Cestar College, which has a partnership with Lambton College and has been involved in sponsoring the Oversized Load Corridor project, the Inn of the Good Shepherd’s Mobile Market program, the Sarnia Sting and other community initiatives.
• Brian DeWagner and June Partridge, who founded Janie Lax and Janie Puck as affordable and accessible ways for girls to play lacrosse and hockey. The duo were also recipients of equipment for the sports and a storage unit through the TD Thanks You Campaign.
• The Fresh Start Project: Sarnia-area founder Kristi Disper began the local version of the Toronto initiative in May. The program helps people moving out of shelters, away from abusive homes or relocating to the community from out of the country. Disper also spearheaded a Socktober sock collection drive at Sacred Heart School where 785 pairs of socks were collected for Fresh Start families and the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
• Diversity Ed co-founder Crystal Fach, who, through the non-profit, helps educate and develop community spaces for 2SLGBTQA1+ people. Fach “goes above and beyond the call of duty to try to teach the community and debunk stereotypes and myths, doing all this in a respectful manner,” Bradley said, adding “the world needs more Crystals.”
• 2021 Women of Excellence Award recipient Carissa Houle, who received the Sarnia Community Foundation recognition for dedicated service to organizations including Temple Baptist, the Diabetes Association, the Inn of the Good Shepherd, Habitat for Humanity and World Vision.
• Aamjiwnaang First Nation Chief Chris Plain for helping build bridges and outreach from his community to others. “The City of Sarnia is fortunate to have a strong and ongoing relationship with the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, providing services through a number of agreements, and compensated by the band for doing so, which strengthens and enhances our relationships,” Bradley said.
• 2021 Sarnia Community Foundation Women of Excellence award recipient Elvira Popova, who was honored for her work mentoring others finding their way to a new country. Popova is also involved in the community through Goodwill, Green Drinks, the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce and other organizations and initiatives.
• The Save Ukraine – Sarnia & Lambton County group for assisting people who have fled Ukraine and are looking to start a new life in Sarnia. The group of Sarnians provide donated household goods and clothing, arrange English classes, and provide babysitting services while parents search for jobs.
• Retired police officer Kevin Schofield, who has won 28 medals, including 16 gold, over 11 World Police & Fire Games. His latest were this past year in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where he won five gold medals in bowling. The games were his most successful to date, and he’s looking forward to the 2023 games in Winnipeg, Bradley said.
• Angela Sekeris, who came up with Totes for Hope to honor her late husband’s memory and do something positive for others. The bags contain personal care items given to chemotherapy patients at Bluewater Health, along with a handwritten note with an encouraging message.
• Jim and Elly Vergunst, who Bradley said have been called “the epitome of true volunteers.” Their volunteerism includes spearheading SnowFest and volunteering with the Alzheimer Society of Sarnia. “They are the first to arrive at events for the setup and the last to leave, assisting with any cleanup,” Bradley said. “They quietly work behind the scenes getting things accomplished.”