The Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury always holds a double celebration on July 1 – celebrating not only Canada’s birthday but the achievements of residents with the presentation of its annual BWG Civic Awards.
This year, said Mayor Rob Keffer, there were so many nominations for the awards, it made the judges’ job extra tough.
Volunteer of the Year award for 2019 went to Rosi Martin, volunteer and organizer of the Shave to Save event at Fred C. Cook Public School. The hair-cutting and shaving at the Bradford elementary school raised more than $11,000 for the pediatric cancer program at Southlake Regional Health Centre.
The Senior of the Year award was shared by Jean and Milt Calder – Milt for his involvement with Friends of the BWG Public Library and the Library Board, raising funds for children’s programming through a series of highly successful book sales; and Jean for her role in helping to set up the BWG Seed Library, a book service for the home-bound, and her involvement in the Tec-We-Gwill Women’s Institute and Bond Head-Bradford Garden Club.
The new Bravery Award was presented to 16-year-old Victoria Vigneau, who has cystic fibrosis – and who has taken on both the provincial government and pharmaceutical companies in her advocacy and efforts to get a new drug treatment for the condition covered by OHIP.
The Sports Achievement Award for 2019 went to 13-year-old Avery Steyn – “The youngest world champion” to come from Bradford, noted Coun. Raj Sandhu. Steyn won gold in the Spartan Kids World Championship (10-13 age group), an extreme-sport competition held last November in Nevada.
Sports Team of the Year was awarded to the Under-14 Boys South Simcoe Sonics basketball team, “one of the Top 10 teams in Ontario,” said Coun. Peter Ferragine. The team and its coach had a record of 28 wins, nine losses, and took silver at the Ontario Cup in Ottawa.
Organization of the Year was presented to the Tec-We-Gwill Women’s Institute, an organization with members from New Tecumseth, Bradford West Gwillimbury and surrounding areas that has raised funds for causes that range from Camp Quality (a camp for kids with cancer), to research into lyme disease. Member Donna Jebb explained the Women’s Institute was founded by Canadian Adelaide Hoodless in 1897 to promote hygiene and home economics. Among its achievements: persuading legislators to approve the pasteurization of milk, centre lines on roadways, and stop-arms and flashing lights on school buses. W.I. is now global, known as the Associated Country Women of the World.
Junior Citizen of the Year went to 13-year-old social justice entrepreneur Emily Dahlgren, who has used her snack business and sales of hair accessories to raise money for the Helping Hand Food Bank. “We are all thrilled to recognize Emily for all her hard work and kindness,” said Coun. Gary Baynes, as a group of teens with the World Citizens Youth Group cheered.
Citizen of the Year was another shared award, presented to Anne and William Silvey – whose unprecedented volunteer efforts at the Helping Hand Food Bank in Bradford ensure that families, couples and individuals in need receive a helping hand.
Keffer was joined by York-Simcoe MPP Caroline Mulroney, now minister of transportation, and members of BWG council for the awards ceremony and opening Canada Day speeches, piped on stage by a piper and Colour Party from the Royal Canadian Legion, Bradford Branch 521.
The mayor called July 1 “a day for reflection and celebration,” and thanked all of the Civic Award recipients “for making this town a special place to live.”
