The Whitchurch-Stouffville Legacy Fund (WSLF) gave a Community Impact Award to six individuals and organizations during the #ForStouffville Gala on Sept. 18.
Now in its sixth year, the Community Impact Awards recognizes those who benefited the Stouffville community through one of six categories: health and well-being, inclusive community connections, creative arts and innovation, generational engagement support, prosperity and economic development, and environmental sustainability.
The winners this year were Dr. Andrew Patterson (health), Jacqueline Hall-Fusco (community), Lisa Breck (arts), Parkview Services for Seniors (generational support), Premier Doug Ford (economic development), and MCC Care & Share Thrift Shop (environment).
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The town announced the winners at the #ForStouffville Gala, held at Willow Springs Winery.
Residents submitted 500-word essays to nominate either a person or organization within a category. Then, Mayor Iain Lovatt and the WSLF Board of Directors assessed each essay to determine the six winners.
The WSLF Board of Directors are a group of eight volunteers who govern both the award and the WSLF's funding program.
The mayor fully funds the WSLF's activities through the #ForStouffville Gala and his annual golf tournament called Mayor Lovatt's Charity Golf Classic.
Jennifer Hess, executive assistant to the mayor, recounted Ford attending this year's gala for the first time. She said that the premier stayed a while to accept his award, then left to attend another engagement.
"[Ford] has a great relationship with Mayor Lovatt and wanted to be there," she said.
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Hamlet Nation, CEO of Parkview Homes for Seniors, said that he was honoured for the organization to receive an award. He attended the gala just weeks before Parkview held its own 60 anniversary celebration.
"I think it's a testament to the work, solid engagement, and roots that we have in our community," he said.
Hess said that the #ForStouffville Gala is not just a place to recognize impact, but to also build connections among the guests. For example, she said that several people pitched in to help Dr. Patterson after hearing Evergreen Hospice's plans to build a new hospice residence. Dr. Patterson was a founding member of Evergreen Hospice and remains a board member and Evergreen physician.
Hess added that winners often feel humbled upon hearing that they won.
"But at the end of the day, it is nice sometimes to just publicly recognize those members of our community who make Stouffville such a great place to live," she said.
The WSLF also runs a funding program to provide organizations up to $25,000 if they can demonstrate their impact among one of the six award categories. It has awarded over 100 organizations thus far.
The funding program is open for applications until Oct. 31 at 4 p.m.
To learn more, head to https://wslegacyfund.com.
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