Chatham’s Carolyn Powers was named as the recipient of the Chatham-Kent Senior of the Year award during Monday night’s council meeting.
Municipal officials say 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.
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 coordinator 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 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.
She will be presented with her award in person later this year at a date to be announced.
More than 1,000 citizens have been honoured since the awards began in Blenheim 33 years ago.
The awards are traditionally presented during the Senior Expo held at the Blenheim Arena but that ceremony was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
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,” Latimer said in a press release.
“These seniors understand the value of life experience and are driven to share this with their community. What they do is an ongoing gift to their fellow citizens. Their attitude is awe-inspiring and it is a joy to watch and for others to share in their volunteer work and accomplishments.”
“Our seniors are an incredible resource,” Mayor Darrin Canniff said in a media release.
“They are part of what makes Chatham-Kent amazing.”
The recipient of this year’s Chatham-Kent Senior of the Year is tentatively scheduled to be presented her award in person on September 14th in Council Chambers, subject to current meeting restrictions being lifted.
