MOUNT FOREST – The Mount Forest District Chamber of Commerce has announced this year’s excellence award recipients.
“Every year the Mount Forest District Chamber of Commerce recognizes the outstanding individuals and organizations for their incredible contributions to making Mount Forest a great location to live and work,” chamber administrator Stacey Stevenson stated in an email to the Wellington Advertiser.
Nominations are submitted to four different categories and awards to youth, adult and corporate citizens are presented along with the Arny Feairs customer service award.
Seven-year-old Simon Dickert was this year’s youth citizen of the year winner.
Residents may recognize Dickert’s name from “Gold Bikes for Simon,” a campaign representing childhood and the colour of September’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Funds raised go toward local families battling paediatric cancer and the Ronald McDonald House charity.
“He is well deserving of youth citizen of the year as he’s highly recognized in Mount Forest for his courage of what no child should have to experience,” states a nomination submission for Dickert.
“Imagine a youth influencing an entire community … Simon has done just that!”
Another said, “How cool would it be for him to win this award when he is dealing with such hard issues. Can you imagine the smile on his face?”
Simon was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2018.
“He was actually attending school at the beginning of the year,” Simon’s mother Samantha told the Advertiser.
He made it six days – until “everything just kind of shifted” over a weekend.
The cancer in Simon’s brain metastasized into the brain’s lining and he’s now bedridden and non-verbal.
“He’s having a bit of a rough go at the moment,” Samatha said. “We’re hanging in … just day by day.”
Samantha said it was humbling to find out Simon was nominated multiple times, adding the award brings a bit of fun to a tough time.
The award happened to coincide with Simon having his wish granted from the Make-A-Wish Foundation—a “Wild Kratts” shopping spree with a box of toys, DVDs and books, and a personalized video from the Kratt brothers.
Samantha brought a photo of Simon with her to the chamber office to accept the award on his behalf, saying it meant “a lot with the awareness that’s spread in his name for childhood cancer.”
Rosemary Tanner and Raymond Langston were named citizen(s) of the year for their constant involvement and service in the community.
Other award recipients include: 88.7 The River for corporate citizen of the year and Richard Quartel as the recipient of the Arny Feairs Customer Service Award.
“We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the sponsors and volunteers who make this annual celebration possible,” stated Stevenson. “Their ongoing commitment and support to the community exemplify the spirit of collaboration and cooperation that makes Mount Forest exceptional.”
