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7th Annual Awards of Rural Excellence
The Foundation for Rural Living recently held the 7th Annual Awards of Rural Excellence program, and successful nominees were honoured at The Ontario Rural Council's 8th Annual Rural Development Conference.
Award recipients were honoured with the presentation of a commemorative artistic glass award as well as a cash contribution to their charity of choice.
Recipient of the
"Excellence in Community Leadership"
Award
The Sunderland Lions Club
Founded in 1955, the Sunderland Lions Club’s goal is to encourage service minded people to serve the Township of Brock in civic, cultural, social, and moral endeavours. This ambition has been realized through an extensive list of activities that only continues to grow and expand. The initiatives of the Sunderland Lions Club include:
- Sunderland Lions Club Music Festival
- Sunderland Park
- Local Sports Sponsorship
- Lions Club Camp Kirk
- Sunderland Area Tree Planting Program
- Humanitarian Acts
“To be successful in a rural area, community support is vital,” acknowledges Dale St. John, President of the Sunderland Lions Club. “We are proud of the opportunities we provide and the way in which we involve the community in our small town Ontario activities. In turn, their enthusiasm is reciprocated in our next project.”
It is the reputation, longevity, dedication, and worthwhile of the Sunderland Lions Club’s community activities that have made this group an overwhelming success story. Members of the Club are prominent people of the community from all walks of life who, through their leadership efforts, have set a positive example for others to follow.
Recipient of the
"Excellence in Formal Co-operative Models"
Award
The Ontario Co-operative Association
One of eight affiliated offices in Canada, the Ontario Co-operative Association’s supporters and stakeholders include agriculture, finance, insurance, consumer, energy, new generation, and supply and services co-operatives.
The Ontario Co-operative Association offers benefits and programs to its members in four strategic areas: communication and member relations, lifelong co-operative learning, co-operative development, and government relations. By incorporating the values of a co-operative in its day-to-day operations the Ontario Co-operative Association is able to serve, promote, and encourage the development of the co-operative sector.
In many ways, the Ontario Co-operative Association could be termed a fearless organization. Not only does it identify projects that are needed to build the co-op sector in Ontario but it also works to build the support that is needed to carry them out.
Recipient of the
"Excellence in Economic Development"
Award
Renfrew County Agricultural Economic Development Consortium
Composed of representatives from the Renfrew agri-business community such as beef producers, cash croppers, retired dairy operators, and feed and seed dealers, the originating concept of the Renfrew County Agricultural Economic Development Consortium was itself innovative and unique. The Consortium has implemented such activities and initiatives as an Advisory Committee to City Council, Business Mentoring and Review, and Public Awareness. Among its many achievements, the Consortium has been successful in enhancing the returns of beef producers, knowledge of production and marketing information, environmental awareness, and tourism.
“From the first discussions about creating the Consortium, partnerships, sharing ideas, and cooperation were intended to be at the core of every endeavour,” relates Alistair Baird of the County of Renfrew. “Partnerships are the pathway to success and the Consortium continues to forge new partnerships every step of the way.”
The primary local resource that the Consortium utilizes is the energy and experience of its members. As well, the Consortium has provided a focus point for agri-business and rural business ideas. This has enabled joint teams to form up more quickly to address opportunities and issues and to more effectively utilize funding and human resources. In the process, the Consortium has become a catalyst for partnerships and cooperation.
Recipient of the
"Outstanding Voluntarism and/or Partnership in the Voluntary Sector"
Award
Brighton Applefest
Brighton Applefest first began in 1975 at the hands of local business people. Today, the Brighton Applefest draws crowds of 20,000-25,000 people and features everything from street vendors and hay rides to dances and children’s entertainment.
The Brighton Applefest is the great success it is because of the genuine passion shown by its volunteer committee. The excellence exhibited by this dedicated team of twenty-five volunteers is best seen in the fact that they do it all on their own without the aid of sponsors.
“I cannot stress enough how well our committee has always worked to put this festival on the map over the years,” says Rose Ellery of Brighton Applefest. “We are always excited and strive to do better each year.”
The committee handles all aspects of the event which includes marketing and promoting, securing donations from the community, and the organization of the events themselves. Many of the volunteers have been on the committee for years simply because they love the event and what it continues to do for the municipality of Brighton. Their efforts realize a true pride in themselves as well as in those around them.
Recipient of the
"Outstanding Rural Youth Achievement"
Award
Weedgee Kidz Project
The Weedgee Kidz are teams of local high school student volunteers who teach residents about organic lawn care methods in an effort to reduce residential use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Their efforts also include weed-pulling and compost-turning services for homeowners in six different communities in Caledon.
More than anything, the Weedgee Kidz Project allows youth to have a strong voice. Through hands on practice, the Project teaches participants how to diplomatically communicate issues which are important to them as well as the community. In 2003 alone, the Project saw the prevention of 14,000kg of pesticides.
“Since 2002, the Program has provided summer employment for thirteen students and two young conservation professionals,” says Karen Hutchinson, Executive Director of the Caledon Countryside Alliance. “The Weedgee Kidz have completed 1000 home visits, organized seven local community events and brought in considerable outside funding to run the program.”
The Weedgee Kidz Project has set a standard for environmental responsibility in Caledon by defining barriers to change and offering tools to overcome those barriers. In addition, it adds to the many existing community-based and environmental initiatives already in existence, which makes Caledon recognizable as a green leader and a healthy community.
Recipient of the
"Outstanding Philanthropic Action"
Award
The Oil Heritage District Community Centre Association
The Oil Heritage District Community Centre Association was initiated in 1985 by a group of community volunteers who identified the need for a multi-use community centre to serve the residents of rural Central Lambton. Over the past twenty years the people of rural Central Lambton have rallied together and overcome many challenges and barriers to achieve this dream. Through the commitment of the Association, the new community centre is now under construction.
To complete this $7.6 million facility, the volunteers of the Oil Heritage District Community Centre Association are currently conducting a $3.3 million public fundraising campaign. Through the generosity of many donors and partners, the Association has raised $4,486,000 in government funding and over $1.7 million in public fundraising.
Tenacity, determination, vision, and a passionate belief in the value of a project are significant factors that have been instrumental in the Association achieving its philanthropic outcomes. This spirit and work ethic is the backbone of rural communities.
“The new community centre project is a true testament to the power of people working together to make the rural community of Petrolia vital and sustainable,” states Diane Schultz of the Association. “It is a legacy that we owe to future generations.”
Recipient of the
"Outstanding Partnership with Business"
Award
Grand River Conservation Authority's Rural Water Quality Program
Originating in 1998, the Rural Water Quality Program is a source water protection program that provides financial assistance and technical advice to rural landowners implementing best management practices to improve and protect surface water and groundwater within the watershed of the Grand River.
The true measure of the Program’s success can be seen in the number of versatile projects that have been completed by landowners and the pride that they have in them. To date the program has provided technical assistance to over 1000 landowners and total investment in water quality improvement projects has been close to $14 million with landowners contributing an addition of $7.5 million.
“Taken at the most simplistic level, partnerships are about developing trusting and cooperative relationships between people,” says Tracey Ryan, Supervisor of Conservation Services with the Grand River Conservation Authority. “This is a program where urban water users directly share the cost of clean water with upstream rural landowners.”
The Rural Water Quality Program realizes that there is a need to have champions and to develop “believers”, not only in the farm community, but in the municipal staff and political level as well.
If you know of a group, project or program
that deserves recognition,
let us know . . . we want to honor them.
Many Thanks to Our Sponsors of the 7th Annual Awards of Rural Excellence in the Commitment to Excellence
'Founding Sponsor'
Previous Years:
