It was an opportunity for business people to get together and network.
But even more significant for members of the Mount Forest District Chamber of Commerce it was a chance to honour business leaders and individuals for their community achievements at the Spring Excellence Awards Recognition and Dinner held at Pike Lake Golf Centre on May 13.
And despite a strong contingent of nominees, taking away top awards were Citizen of the Year George Forrest, Young Citizen of the Year Shania Dirstein, Print One with the Arny Feairs Customer Service Award and Corporate Citizen TD Smith Transport.
“It is you people that make Mount Forest and area excel and make it a great place to live and work,” organizer Debbie Hunter told about 100 people attending the awards evening.
Forrest is well known for the annual golf tournament he co-organizes, named in honour of his late wife Mary Lynne who died of cancer. The event, celebrating its 10th anniversary this July, has raised some $550,000 for equipment purchases at Louise Marshall Hospital in Mount Forest and Palmerston District Hospital.
“It was through life’s misfortunes, that George Forrest, found his cause. George is the proud father of three daughters – Brandy, Christa and Sheree. Then, when life seemed its best, George lost his wife, Mary Lynne, to cancer. While many would have been discouraged, George chose to honour his dear wife, by organizing a Memorial Golf Tournament,” Hunter said.
Co-nominee Dale Franklin of the Palmerston hospital foundation acknowledged the recipient.
“George is without a doubt one of the most humble, unassuming and wonderful men I’ve ever met,” she said. “You made the most of such tragic circumstances and made it the honour that it is.”
“Friends and family, supported George’s passion, and for many successful years now, our two local hospitals have greatly benefited from this tournament,” Hunter added.
“A big thank you to my family,” Forrest said after receiving the award. “They’ve always been so supportive in everything I do.”
He said he will share the award with his family and the community.
Dirstein was honoured for her ongoing work and achievements with the local Big Brothers and Big Sisters chapter.
Marianne Christie, executive director for the organization, nominated the Grade 12 student and said Dirstein has done outstanding work as a Big Sister.
“Volunteering, is a great way for youth, to make a positive and appropriate, connection to their community. Learning new skills, and growing from their experiences, while giving back to their community,” Hunter said.
“Shania was born with complete congenital heart block. At birth, she was transferred to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, for open heart surgery. Since Shania was nine years old, she attended Canada’s first and only Oki Camp in Muskoka, for children with congenital heart disease. She is now a volunteer Leader in Training, and a mentor, for the younger children during camp. In 2007, Shania underwent surgery, for a new pacemaker, and in 2008, she volunteered her services, to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Wellington County, to raise awareness about Heart Disease. She supported Jump Rope for Heart, by travelling around Wellington County, as a “survivor speaker” at assemblies. While Shania was a Little Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters, she willingly gave volunteer hours, and the organization is delighted to welcome Shania back this year, as an official, Go Girls Leader.Shania is involved, with the Close Buddy system for a person with special needs, and strives to help her reach her full potential. Shania plans to attend Fanshawe College in the fall and take the three-year Child and Youth Worker program. Her mentor and role model, was her grandfather, (the late) Hughie Elder, an accomplished musician, and like him, she wants to support and give back to the community.
“He always taught me to smile no matter what you’re dealing with,” Dirstein said in her acceptance speech. “I was born with congenital heart block and that’s never stopped me.”
Print One owners John and Julie Benns accepted the customer service honour on behalf of their company and its employees.
John Benns said he was honoured to receive the award named after the late Arny Feairs who was known for his customer service when he operated a store beside where Print One was previously located. He said he recalled the day when Feairs passed away in his store doing the work that made him happy.
“This is a real honour to receive this award,” Benns said. “It’s a team effort so I couldn’t do it without my Print One staff.”
TD Smith Transport is a family-owned company, that has been in the transportation industry since 1946,” Hunter said of the recipient of the Corporate Citizen award sponsored by Wellington North township. “Their nominator has discovered the magnitude of commitment this organization has toward their community,” said company manager Dennis Black
Other award nominees included Young’s Home Hardware and Katie May of Tim Hortons in the customer service category, Robert McIntee in the Citizen of the Year category and Bill Nelson of Coldwell Banker WIN Realty, Padfield Nelson Insurance in the Corporate Citizen category.
LP
