Across Canada, communities and retirement homes are celebrating seniors' contributions. Seniors of the year were honoured in various ceremonies this past month as communities looked back at the year 2008 and the seniors who helped to make it the best year it could be. Here’s a look at just few of the recipients.
Don Moore was awarded the LEAP Award by the BCSLA
In Johnson Township near Sault Ste. Marie, Connie Summers was honoured as Senior of the Year. Summers and her husband, Larry, have contributed immensely to the community throughout their lifetimes, starting local chapters of Cubs, Scouts and Ventures.
She also served as the volunteer Fire Chief and has formed a band that regularly entertains at the Algoma Manor in Thessalon. In presenting the award, Sault St. Marie Councillor Marlee Hopkins praised Summers for a “frank and no-nonsense approach” in various leadership roles she has held in the community.
On the west coast, Don Moore, a resident of an Abbotsford retirement community, was awarded the “LEAP Resident of the Year Award, 2008” by BCSLA, the provincial body representing BC retirement communities. The LEAP award is given to those residents who demonstrate inspiring and uncommon care for their community.
Moore meets that description in spades. Since taking up carpentry as a retirement hobby –he’d worked for BC Hydro for 39 years – he has worked tirelessly to use his craft to make the world a better place.
Moore moved into Hallmark on the Park, an Abbotsford retirement residence, in 2002. As he approaches the youthful age of 90, most days you’ll find him in the Hallmark workshop, working his magic with wood, making items to sell or donate to charitable causes. Don’s day is usually 6-10 hours long, making time fly as he crafts pens, yo-yo’s, jewelry boxes, and wooden toys for children.
Many of his wooden toys are sold at the annual fall local craft fairs. Last year Don made $3000, and every penny went to backpacks and tricycles for children in Guatemala and to hosting a pizza party for disadvantaged kids.
Many of the wooden toys that Don makes are sold at the annual fall local craft fairs. Last year Don made $3000, and every penny went to backpacks and tricycles for children in Guatemala and to hosting a pizza party for disadvantaged kids.
Don’s generosity combines beautifully with his adventurous spirit – he’s joined a Hallmark service trip to Guatemala three times, most recently in spring of 2008! His wooden toys have brought joy to patients in an AIDS Hospice, a hospital and several orphanages there. It’s not uncommon to see Don sitting on the floor surrounded by children playing with their new toys. Don says, “ I don’t know who is having more fun, the kids or me.”
Meanwhile, “out east,” Jack Fraser has been named Senior of the Year for 2008 in the New Brunswick village of Belledune. Fraser, 74, has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion for 53 years. He joined the army in Fredericton in 1951. Fraser is past-president of Branch #77 and works yearly with the Poppy Fund.
Fraser is also involved with visitation of veterans' homes and participates whenever he can with the Legion breakfast, held each Thursday. Fraser has been married for 40 years to Irene. The couple has 11 children, 20 grandchildren and 20 great grandkids.
How does your community celebrate the contributions of seniors?
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