A local resident who volunteers her time to numerous organizations and literally puts her community in the News on a regular basis is the Clifford Lions Club Citizen of the Year for 2013.
The award was presented to Bonnie Whitehead at the club’s year-end barbecue on June 20 at the home of Garry and Lois Zettler.
In announcing the selection, Lions Club secretary Ivan Campbell provided a lengthy list of organizations to which Whitehead has volunteered her time, including: the Clifford horticultural and heritage society, the Canadian Diabetes Society, Caressant Care nursing home in Harriston, local youth and seniors organizations and the Belmore Maple Syrup Festival.
She has also committed many hours to Knox United Church, where she edits the church bulletin.
“Over the years Bonnie has always been supportive of the Clifford Lions Club and other local service clubs and groups as well, more than anyone could really know,” said Campbell.
Whitehead is perhaps best known for providing stories and photographs from local events to area Newspapers, as she has for more than two decades. She was employed during the 90s by the now-defunct Clifford News, a sister publication to the Teeswater News which was published by Harry and Carol Helfenstein.
Her contributions have continued to appear in numerous local publications, including the Wellington Advertiser, the Community News, Mildmay Town Crier and Minto Express.
Campbell noted Whitehead attends many functions in her community and the surrounding area, chronicling local News “with write-ups and pictures, donating so many hours of her time to what she loves to do.”
Minto Mayor George Bridge presented Whitehead with a certificate of recognition from the municipality.
“I really appreciate how much you do for all of the groups and the stories you write for the town. You promote us so well,” said Bridge.
Whitehead said the News reporting resulted originally from her volunteering as secretary on so many local organizations.
“Everyone just said, well Bonnie can write the story,” she recalls.
Whitehead, who arrived at the barbecue with a notepad and camera in hand to cover the selection of the Citizen of the Year, was surprised to learn it was her.
She was still trying to guess who the honouree might be when her name was announced.
“It’s an incredible feeling to be recognized. They made me feel incredibly special to the community,” she told the Advertiser.
“When you add up all the years and all the organizations, it may look like a lot, but I am not the heavy lifter … It’s great to go the events and meetings, write a story, take a photo or 13, and submit them to the local papers, who graciously find room for them.”
