Volunteer Today. Improve Tomorrow.

During the June 2018 Senior Expo and Achievement Awards, the Annual Chatham Kent Senior of the Year award was presented to Chatham resident John Lawrence for his countless hours serving the residents of our community.

John Lawrence has served on the Executive Committee of the Chatham YMCA and was the Building Campaign Co-Chairperson for this welcomed fundraising initiative.  In 2010, he received the YMCA Volunteer of the year award as well the prestigious Fellowship of Distinction Award.

Since 2015, John is a very dedicated Rotarian with the Chatham Sunrise Rotary.  Within this club, he has been involved with the Grand Avenue Tree Planting Project as well as the Chatham Daffodil Bulb Planting Project. He helped create Howell Park (across from St Clair College) on Grande River Line.  During John’s second term as Rotary Sunrise club President, the board committed $40,000.00 to the Chatham Kent Hospice. He was also instrumental in coordinating the seven Chatham Kent Rotary clubs to also donate.

“Clean Water for Living,” is also a project of the Rotary Sunrise. John speaks to Rotary Clubs in Chatham Kent, Ontario and Michigan regarding the Great Lakes and the important ways to improve the use of our water.  As director of the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG), John and his group support environmental projects around the world.

John was a member of the founding committee to plan and fundraise for the Chatham Kent Hospice.  Even after having to have a double bypass heart surgery, it was only a month later that he walked in “The Hike for Hospice” fundraiser.

Chatham Kent Mayor and Council annually request nominations of Older Adults (Aged 60+) to receive Senior Achievement Awards. The event Chairperson, Councillor Karen Herman, noted there are so many volunteers that graciously volunteer their time to our Chatham Kent communities.  It gives us great pleasure to hold this annual event for an opportunity to say thank you.

This article has been written and submitted by: Elinor Mifflin and Karen Herman

Blenheim CK Senior Expo Committee

Photos submitted by

The Blenheim News Tribune

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