Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley is recognizing 18 citizens and four groups from this community and others in his 2018 honour list.
The mayor's honour list was established in 1981 by the late mayor Marceil Saddy as a tribute to the unsung people and groups who've been instrumental in improving the quality of life or making a significant contribution to the City of Sarnia and Lambton County.
Dr. James Acheson, founder of Acheson Ventures, is being recognized for his philanthropy. He's invested millions to restore Port Huron's waterfront as a mirror image of Sarnia's and has encouraged international development of the local boating industry. Acheson Ventures has also sponsored fireworks displays in July and the Sarnia/Port Huron International Powerboat Festival.
Sexual Assault Survivors Centre Executive Director Michelle Batty speaks to those gathered on the Footsteps Tribute to Courage Walkway. June 21, 2016
Employees with the Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton are being commended for their work to support people living with the disease and their families.
Michelle Batty, who retired after 27 years as the Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Survivors' Centre and Women's Interval Home, is being honoured for her dedication to the eradication of violence in all forms.
Bestselling author and Dragon's Den host, David Chilton, is being recognized for his generosity. Chilton has taken part in many fundraising events locally and helped promote the city over the years.
The founder of the Cinderella Story, Debbie Anderson, is being honoured for giving those with financial troubles the opportunity to receive a free prom dress.
Helen Danby is being recognized for her work with the local chapter of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire [IODE]. Danby has also volunteered with the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Campaign, Mothers Against Drunk Driving [MADD] and the Petrolia Minor Soccer Association.
The group "4Friends" is being commended for raising funds for Community Living Sarnia-Lambton. Karen King, Wilma Maher, Laura Hardy, Arlene Duckert, Marion Burr and Shirley Vanderwilen gather weekly to make mittens from recycled wool sweaters and donate the profits.
Sarnia's Liam Henderson is set to participate in Canada's Smartest Person Junior. (Photo courtesy of CBC.)
The Grade 6 Errol Road Public School student who captured our hearts on CBC's Canada's Smartest Person Junior this fall is being honoured. Liam
Henderson, 11, showed kindness and concern for other contestants while on the show -- shining a positive light on the city.
Laurie Hicks is being recognized for her work to develop Sarnia's patch-for-patch program, which sees pharmacists only dispense fentanyl patches to patients who return used patches. Hicks lost her son Ryan to a fentanyl overdose in 2015.
Wendy Hooghiem is being honoured for coordinating the local "Adopt-A-Scientist" and "Bridge Building" programs.
Fabien Jagoo is being commended for supporting local charities and business. Jagoo, who is the father of three children with Cystic Fibrosis, has raised $400,000 for the charity.
LiUNA Local 1089 is being acknowledged for its numerous sponsorships and donations to organizations and events in Sarnia.
Blackburn Radio's newly retired broadcaster, Lee Michaels, is being recognized for reporting local news, sports and weather for 40 years. Michaels is also a humanitarian and has spent many years working to better the lives of people living in Cuba.
Mayor Mike Bradley and Lee Michaels holding a picture of the two of them from municipal election night in 1988. December 18, 2018.
St. Patrick's High School teacher, Blake Morrison, is being honoured for going above and beyond. For the past six years, Morrison has organized a citizenship ceremony at the school and invited his Grade 10 students to watch. 35 new Canadians took the oath of citizenship this year.
Lifelong Sarnia residents, Robert and Marion Round, are recognized for their impressive roller skating career in the 1980's.
Art, construction, manufacturing and design students at St. patrick's high School are being commended for constructing a replica of Sarnia's cenotaph. The structure was made for the historic 2018 Remembrance Day service to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1.
Local photographer, Lou Sprenger, is being honoured for volunteering his time and talent to numerous community events.
John Stewart is recognized for his community support. Stewart was active with the RCAF Association 403 Wing for many years and was the driving force behind the restoration of the F86 Sabre monument in Germain Park.
Douglas Thibert is being honoured for his work with the 23rd Scouting Cub Pack. Thibert, who's in his early 20's, has been a leader since 2011 and helps plan and run weekly meetings. He also participated in the Hike for Hunger food drive and helped deliver the Salvation Army's Christmas Hampers.
Al and Michelle Weiss are being recognized for their fundraising efforts . The couple started hosting the "Al Weiss and Friends" concert when Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012. The event has since raised $90,000 -- which has been split between Bluewater Health's Mammography Department and Breast Cancer Society of Canada.
Mayor Bradley says the list is based on his own observations throughout the year, nominations from citizens and media stories.
A reception will be held February 5th to formally recognize the recipients.
