Sarnia Community Foundation has put out a call for Women of Excellence nominees.
The annual initiative recognizes the contributions of women who have enhanced the community and its quality of life.
Appointments can be made until April 14 at sarniacommunityfoundation.ca/eventsor by calling the foundation’s office at 519-332-2588.
Executive director Mike Barron said there are plans to fete this year’s honorees at a June luncheon as part of the foundation’s 40th anniversary celebration.
The Women of Excellence program began in 2016 and has named several recipients every year since, celebrating honorees remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Those recipients will be invited to this year’s luncheon so they can celebrate in person, he said.
“As we celebrate our 40th anniversary of giving back to the Lambton County community, we are thrilled to be able to celebrate those individuals that help to make this community vibrant, inclusive, and livable,” he said.
“It has been just a tough time the last couple of years” and this year’s awards could be an opportunity to recognize “those who have gone the extra mile” in the community “to pull it through the pandemic,” he said.
The most recent honorees were:
- Carissa Houle, an elementary school teacher and co-founder of Bare Necessities, which supports school lunch programs. She also volunteers with groups including Temple Baptist Church, Inn of the Good Shepherd, Habitat for Humanity, the Diabetes Association and World Vision.
- Elvira Popova, who came to the area from Bulgaria and has mentored other newcomers. The hospital human resources professional also has been involved with Goodwill, Green Drinks, the chamber of commerce, Artwalk and the Hub.
- Joanne Rogers, a retired justice of the peace and former chief of Aamjiwnaang First Nation. She also started a Cub pack, was involved in Aamjiwnaang Law Day and served on the Sarnia Police Services Board.
The foundation has provided more than $7 million to Sarnia-area organizations and projects since 1983. Last year, it awarded nearly $757,000 in grants and scholarships.
It’s accepting applications for community grants until April 23. See sarniacommunityfoundation.ca or call the office for details.