Chatham’s Carolyn Powers was given her award as Chatham-Kent Senior of the Year yesterday during a brief presentation by Mayor Darrin Canniff and Councillor Clare Latimer.
The award is traditionally presented during the Senior Expo held at the Blenheim Arena in June but that ceremony was cancelled due to COVIC-19 concerns.
“We didn’t want to miss an opportunity to say thank you to Carolyn and provide recognition for her and all of the seniors who do so much for our community,” said Mayor Canniff.
Carolyn has been a community volunteer her entire life and continues to contribute to the community by devoting her time to a number of causes. From her nearly 60 years in Scouting, to service club work, to drug and alcohol education to welcoming newcomers, she has been there for her community.
Carolyn has been involved in Scouting for 59 years, and remains very active with the Camp Cataraqui Committee. She was also very involved in the Tartan Sertoma until its closure, and since then has been volunteering with the Thamesville Sertoma for 20 years.
Carolyn has also worked with Master Sun on his Korean Student Program, where the students come and stay with families for 2-3 weeks to work on their English skills.
She has been the Program Co-ordinator for many years as well as hosting a youth in her home each time for over 10 years. Carolyn works Bingos for the Sertoma, and Master Sun’s charity organization and for Drug Education Alliance.
Carolyn has also served on the Chatham Canada Day Committees, and is a volunteer at RAD – “Racing Against Drugs”. She has also served on the Operation Red Nose Committee and drove for that organization until its closure, and now drives for “Home James”. Carolyn is also very active in the Legion.
Carolyn is one of 13 adults age 55+ honoured this year for achieving significant goals and making outstanding contributions as volunteers within Chatham-Kent.
More than 1,000 citizens have been honoured since the awards began in Blenheim 33 years ago.
Chatham-Kent Councillor Clare Latimer, Senior Expo Committee chairperson, said all the honorees share an important trait.
“The many seniors who volunteer in Chatham-Kent, and in particular those we are honouring, view their status as a senior as an asset,” she said. “They know the value of experience and they know they have a lot to give. They look at what they do as an ongoing gift to their fellow citizens. Their attitude is amazing and it’s a real joy to watch what they can accomplish.”
Last year’s Chatham-Kent’s Co-Seniors of the Year Bothwell’s Bob Hamilton and Cleata Morris of Merlin have also been recognized by the province as Ontario Senior of the Year 2019 for Chatham-Kent.
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