Volunteers helping local cancer patients get to and from treatments were among those recognized as a vital part of the community at the Mount Forest District Chamber of Commerce spring awards ceremony.
Mount Forest Cancer Patient Services (CPS) received special recognition at the dinner on May 15 at the Pike Lake Golf and Country Club and Rene Moyer, a CPS founder, was named Citizen of the Year.
Victoria Cross Public School student Lisbet MacLean was named Young Citizen of the Year.
The local Canadian Tire and its owners, Shawn and Tracy Telfer, picked up the Arny Feairs Customer Service Award.
“We make a living by what we do, but we make a life by what we give,” Chamber director Deb Hunter said at the ceremony, reciting a quote by Winston Churchill,
Moyer is well known in the community where she once owned a restaurant before retiring. She was among a group of volunteers who created CPS when the local Red Cross decided to discontinue providing transportation to cancer patients needing treatment in the Kitchener-Waterloo area.
“She is also the volunteer store manager for the Thrift Shop in Mount Forest, which from proceeds of sales, equally get divided between the Louise Marshall Hospital Auxiliary and the Cancer Patient Services,” Moyer’s nominator Debbie Shupe said.
“This operation has become an outstanding example of positive community support as without which it certainly would not be the success it is today. Her managerial abilities lead a team of dedicated volunteers in raising thousands of dollars annually for these organizations.”
Moyer was also recognized for her work with the Catholic Women’s League, where she has catered many church functions.
“Her warmth and compassion is at the heart of this woman whose impact has made this community a better place to live,” Shupe added.
“Countless people in this community would agree with me when I say that she has a unique ability in bringing out the best in people.”
Retired teacher Donna McFarlane nominated MacLean for the young citizen award calling her “a very positive role model for both her peers and the younger children she crosses paths with at school, church, dance lessons and in our community.”
The grade 8 student was recognized as a Sports enthusiast, student at the local dance academy and dedicated church member.
“The best opportunity for me to get to know Lisbet was during the planning of the Free the Children trip to Kenya, followed by the opportunity to spend lots of time with her as the youngest member of our group,” McFarlane said.
“I watched how hard Lisbet worked to raise the necessary funds for her trip. She took orders for Christmas baking, collected bottles, gave up personal birthday and Christmas gifts, made and sold jewelry, and spoke to various service and church groups.”
Shawn Telfer was recognized for his store’s customer commitment.
Crystal Seifried, who nominated Telfer for the customer service award, recalled her search for a specific Christmas ornament her sister-in-law couldn’t find in the Kitchener, Waterloo area.
It wasn’t in the Mount Forest store either and after discussing the matter with Telfer, he called Seifried the next day to inform her the item wasn’t in the inventory.
“Boy, was I shocked when Shawn called about a week later to tell me the cupcake ornament was sitting on his desk,” she said.
CPS clients Barry Parkhouse and Barb Dawson spoke about how essential the transportation service is for them when they have treatment out of town.
“My experience with the volunteer driver has helped me lessen the dread and the desire to chicken out of a treatment,” said Parkhouse.
“The pleasant conversation and relaxed atmosphere during the drive to the regional cancer centre is invaluable in helping me to maintain a good attitude towards the challenges of the disease and the treatments.”
Added Dawson, “If it wasn’t for the Cancer Patient Services I wouldn’t have been able to manage my cancer treatments.
“I’ve had numerous surgeries, infections and complications. The CPS were always there to drive me to the various doctor appointments and hospitals.”
Hunter also recognized other nominees, including Wightman Telecom and the Thrift Shop in the customer service category, Rick Giles in the young citizen class and Penny Jamieson in the citizen category.
“It is you people that make Mount Forest excel and be a great place to live and work,” Hunter said.
