Bothwell’s Bob Hamilton and Cleata Morris of Merlin were named co-winners of the Chatham-Kent Senior of the Year today at the Chatham-Kent Senior Achievement Awards in Blenheim.
Hamilton has been a lifelong contributor to the Bothwell community. A founding member of the Bothwell Minor Hockey Association, he is vice president of the Bothwell Community Boosters, a fundraiser for the Four Counties Hospital Foundation and a former United Way chair in the community.
Morris, at 95 years of age one of the oldest honourees, is active in the North Buxton Community Church, directs the Friends of Buxton Male Choir that she co-founded in 2001 and is a member of the Merlin Friendship Club.
Hundreds of spectators filled the Blenheim Arena to honour the record 71 seniors nominated from communities across Chatham-Kent.
Event chair Karen Herman who has been involved in their awards for nearly 20 years, and said interest remains high in recognizing those who make Chatham-Kent communities special, 32 years after the event began in Blenheim.
“There is so much volunteerism that there isn’t any way we could put a dollar figure on the contributions,” she said. “If you ask the honorees, they would tell you that they get back more than they give. It’s an amazing thing to watch these people continue to contribute to the community, in some cases into their 90’s.”
Last year’s Chatham-Kent Senior of the Year John Lawrence of Chatham, was honoured by the province as Ontario Senior of the Year 2018 for Chatham-Kent.
Also attending the event were Chatham-Kent-Leamington MP Dave Van Kesteren, Chatham-Kent- Essex MPP Rick Nicholls, Mayor Darrin Canniff and Councillors Trevor Thompson, Anthony Ceccacci, Clare Latimer Mary Karen Kirkwood-Whyte and Amy Finn
