Due to the ongoing pandemic and vaccination scheduling uncertainty, the Senior Expo committee has decided to cancel the 2021 Senior Expo and postpone the Senior of the year award nominations launch until June, which is Seniors’ Month in Ontario.
Municipal officials say the awards began in Blenheim 34 years ago and well over 1,000 citizens have been honoured, traditionally during the Senior Expo held annually at the Blenheim Arena in June.
The launch of the nominations will be announced June 14.
The awards are open to older adults age 55+ that have achieved significant goals and made outstanding contributions as volunteers within Chatham-Kent.
“The past year has been extremely challenging and older adults have endured a disproportionate amount of the burden,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff, in a media release.
“Despite this, seniors have found ways to step up and contribute. It is a tribute to their tenacity and commitment to community. I’m looking forward to receiving plenty of nominations when the process opens in June.”
Chatham-Kent Councillor Clare Latimer, Senior Expo committee chairperson, said the committee is hopeful the Expo and Achievement Awards celebration will return in 2022 and be held once more at the Blenheim arena, “at a time when residents can gather safely to celebrate our Older Adult volunteers and learn more about available senior services in our community.”
For more information, contact Councillor Latimer at 519-436-3207 or the Mayor’s Office at 519-360-1998 Ext. 3001.
