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Lanark County Council honoured four people for their outstanding community work as part of the annual Awards of Excellence on Wednesday evening.
The awards recognize and celebrate citizens or organizations that have made a significant and/or extraordinary contribution to Lanark County. This year, council recognized Jan Watson of Home Hospice North Lanark in the Volunteerism category, Joan Southwell of Almonte for Community Service, Kristine Fair of the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation for Philanthropy and Tanya Jamieson of Best Western Plus Perth Parkside Inn & Spa for Business and Industry.
“I am honoured to recognize these four individuals for the incredible work they do to enhance quality of life in Lanark County,” said Warden Steve Fournier (Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve). “It is an honour to recognize these local residents for their generosity and outstanding contributions through the Awards of Excellence.”
The awards program began in 2005 and recognizes recipients for contributions to the county at large or in at least two municipalities. It was developed to say thank you to citizens of Lanark County, to provide community recognition and visibility, to support citizens for their contributions and to inspire further community service.
Jan Watson of Mississippi Mills is Chair of Home Hospice North Lanark (HHNL) and for 25 years worked with Carebridge Community Support in the developmental services program and seniors home support to help seniors and adults with disabilities. She is currently serving her second term as board chair for HHNL, spending nearly 100 hours per month to lead governance and program management. During her tenure as chair, HHNL achieved a three-year accreditation, demonstrating the program aligns with best practices and standards. It has also recruited three nurses and has grown from supporting four or five clients with five visiting volunteers post-COVID to having 27 volunteers visiting 55 to 60 clients. HHNL now offers a range of palliative care support groups. With Watson’s leadership, the program recently found a home with office space for consults and assessment, as well as meeting space for support groups and public education. Watson also devotes time to fundraising, public speaking, public education, volunteer appreciation, networking and much more. Additionally, Watson is a director with the Almonte Civitan Club and volunteers as a driver for the Cancer Society and Carebridge to help residents get to medical appointments.
Nominator Sophie Prescott, Development Coordinator for Almonte General Hospital-Fairview Manor Foundation, said Watson’s “countless hours of dedication to multiple community groups and causes make it clear as day how much she cares for this community and how much she’s willing to do what she can to make it better. She’s selfless, she’s a leader and she’s a true hero to many…. We are all so extremely lucky and grateful for her selflessness, love and passion.”
Carebridge CEO Robert Eves described Watson’s “unwavering commitment and deep passion for seniors,” noting her expertise and effort led to the successful implementation of numerous community projects with positive impacts. Ruth DuBois, HHNL Board director and secretary, added Watson is “there to listen and help whenever anyone in the community needs her action,” and is “ethical and assertive, never afraid to stand up for those in more vulnerable situations.”
Joan Southwell of Almonte in Mississippi Mills has a lengthy history of caring in the community. In 2012 she was recognized for 45 years of service to patients and residents as a registered nurse at the Almonte General Hospital (AGH) in the medical/surgical unit. Upon retirement, she continued at AGH as a volunteer, helping with fundraising events, decorating the hospital for Christmas and helping to buy presents for residents in the Rosamond Unit. She served on the volunteer services committee and, for the past nine years, has been a regular volunteer at the hospital gift shop. She also began volunteering with the Almonte Civitan Club in 2014 and is heavily involved in the club’s projects and activities.
Her nominator, Cheryl Moore of the Almonte General Hospital Foundation, says Southwell is a leader and inspires others to do their best. “Joan’s professionalism, kindness and compassion made her an extraordinary nurse for over 45 years. Joan took her experience and empathy to her role as a volunteer.”
In a letter of support, Almonte Civitan Club President Tim Barr said Southwell is ever present at the club and brings “a voice to those in need as well as keeping current and involved in our many projects,” and she is a guide and mentor to new members. “She applies the tenets of Civitan in her daily presence: service, inclusion, respect, fellowship, courage and leadership.” He added Southwell “brings fun and joy to the work she takes on.” Representatives from Almonte General Hospital-Fairview Manor Volunteer Services say she is “an exceptional example of a volunteer who puts her heart and soul into her community.”
Kristine Fair serves as chair of the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation (PSFDHF). She joined the board in 2021 after a career in business in Smiths Falls that spanned more than 20 years, during which time she routinely supported local charities that were close to her heart through sponsorships, monetary gifts or volunteer hours. She became chair of the foundation in 2022.
Her nominator, PSFDHF CEO Margot Hallam, says Fair’s “dedication to the foundation’s mission radiates when she speaks within our community and shares how important it is to ‘keep care close to home.’” Hallam highlighted her genuine passion for the community and ability to chair and lead through turbulent times, showing her dedication to the foundation’s mission. “The funds raised have been crucial in meeting the hospital’s ongoing need for new equipment and instrumental in raising funds for our MRI campaign and awareness,” Hallam said, adding one of Fair’s most vital attributes is kindness. “This shows in all she brings; her dedication to the community is unparalleled.”
In a letter of support, Manon Vaillancourt and Dawn Marie Proude, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lanark County Purse Event Committee volunteers, highlighted Fair’s time volunteering with that organization and their work to revamp the fundraising event. They highlighted Fair’s dedication by connecting with sponsors, collecting donations, and planning and hosting the well-known event. “We can humbly say that, without her support, this event would not be nearly as successful,” they said. “She continues to inspire kindness and to share her wisdom and wealth of experience and knowledge.” Supporters Cathy and Brad Hasler added her “dedication to small-town success has not gone unnoticed.”
As general manager of Best Western Plus Perth Parkside Inn & Spa, Tanya Jamieson’s ongoing philanthropic and professional contributions to the community have been considerable. She is currently a member of the MRI committee for the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation, and as a former full-time emergency department nurse knows how vital this equipment is to improve accessibility for county residents and reduce wait times. Jamieson is also an active board member with the Perth & District Chamber of Commerce, helping in the recent transition of management and board members and working as a key player in the local business community by assisting store owners and employees as they dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, she served on the economic task force for the Town of Perth, supporting local business and commerce affected by the downturn. Jamieson has been a ground breaker by working with the Lanark & Renfrew Local Immigration Partnership to provide training, support and secure employment for a number of new Canadians who now make Lanark County their home.
“Tanya is a true leader who is contributing to the betterment of the community in a number of ways,” said her nominator, Davin Dossett, group broker with Davin Dossett Financial Services, adding she continues to help the PSFDHF reach its goal of raising more than $6 million for the MRI fund to benefit the region.
In a letter of support, Perth & District Chamber of Commerce President Brian Perkin noted Jamieson has been “honoured by her North American Best Western colleagues for her business achievements and community support,” and he commended her leadership, organizational abilities and commitment to various causes. Vice-President Emilie McKay said “time and again, she goes above and beyond in her duties” and ”balances all her initiatives with grace and finds opportunities to connect them together for mutual benefit.”
Fournier thanked the recipients for their outstanding contributions and the legacy they have left for others to model. “Your generosity has made a difference in our communities. On behalf of Lanark County Council, our residents and businesses, thank you for your dedication, commitment and leadership.” Awards of Excellence recipients are recognized on a plaque in the county administration building, as well as on the county website at www.lanarkcounty.ca and through local media.
