Journal Staff
They are different organizers and volunteers who over the past year helped the hungry and hurting and excelled at their chosen pursuits.
But the one thing that connects the 13 groups and individuals named by Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley to his 2021 Honour List is they are all living proof people can make a difference.
The list is a highly personal one, Bradley said, and based on his own observations, citizen nominations and media stories.
The honourees are:
JANE ANEMA
As Executive Director of the Sarnia Community Foundation for the past 13 years, Anema has helped match financial donors with needs in the community. During her tenure, the Foundation grew from from 30 funds and $1.5 million in 2008 to 125 funds and $12 million today.
LEILA BOUSHY
With her joy and positive attitude, Boushy has been a much-beloved community volunteer for decades,
serving in leadership roles at the Sarnia Lambton Folks Arts Multicultural Council and the IODE, while acting as a driving force in welcoming new citizens.
CENOTAPH/ VETERANS PARK CONTRIBUTORS
Eighteen individuals, unions, businesses and organizations worked together to provide their time, expertise and money to complete much-needed upgrades at Veterans Park leading up to the 100th anniversary and rededication of the Sarnia Cenotaph in November.
BRENDA DUNN
Dunn has made significant contributions to the community through her Christmas Kettle Drive involvement and as a Beaver Leader at Scouts Canada. The once struggling 23rd Sarnia Beaver Colony is now a thriving, educational and fun program for children ages 5 to 7.
ROBERT HART
As a volunteer driver for the past 32 years providing patient transportation through the Canadian Cancer Society, as a Big Brother to two “little brothers,” and as a volunteer at the St. Giles Church soup kitchen, Hart and his generosity have helped improve the lives of many in the community.
ELAINE HAYTER
As Senior Development Manager of the Sarnia-Lambton Kidney Foundation over the past three decades, Hayter has been a tireless advocate and fundraiser for patients and families. When the local chapter won three provincial awards last year, Hayter typically she took no credit and praised the volunteers.
DAVE LECLAIR
A 40-year volunteer with the Sarnia MS Society, LeClair was recently honoured for his dedication with an award from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. He has been involved in countless fundraising events, as a member of the board of directors, and as board chair for 14 years.
100 SCARVES - PAM WONG
For four years now, a Sarnia group called 100 Scarves has provided free, hand-knitted scarves, hats and mittens to anyone in need by placing them on the Lawrence House fence with a sign stating, "Need a Scarf, Take a Scarf." The 50-member group contributed more than 1,000 knitted items last year.
MICHELLE PARKS -TAMPON TUESDAY
As spokesperson for the local Tampon Tuesday chapter, Parks encouraged Sarnia Council to test out a pilot project that provided free menstrual products at city facilities. The project was a success, and council made the move permanent in December.
ANNABELLE RAYSON
Rayson was just 13 when she organized the first Sarnia Shoebox Project, providing shoeboxes filled with $50 worth of makeup, socks, lotion, scarves and messages of support for women in need. In 2021, the project’s fourth year, 275 decorated boxes were given to shelters and organizations for distribution.
SHIRLEY ROEBUCK
Roebuck is a local health care advocate and activist with the Ontario Health Coalition. As a member of the Coalition’s provincial board of directors, she has been a strong voice locally and provincially for enacting to the Coalition’s mandate of "Protecting Public Health Care For All.”
MARK ROEHLER
Roehler is the long-time chairperson of the Steps for Life Committee in Sarnia. He is dedicated to safety in the workplace and raising funds for Threads of Life, a charity that offers peer support for people who lose loved ones through workplace injury and occupational disease.
TANYA TAMILIO
As President of the Centre Communautaire Francophone de Sarnia-Lambton, Tamilio was instrumental in having Sarnia provincially designated to provide more French-language government services. She was also part of a project that provided 750 “welcoming” signs to welcome newcomers to the community.
Mayor Bradley said he hopes a group reception can be held later this year for both the 2021 and 2022 honourees.