Awards

Tony Redix gives back to his community on a daily basis. Tony has been a member of the Thamesford Lions Club since 2006, and is a Past President of the Club. He has brought the Lions "Catch the Ace" fundraiser to life with his live draw videos each week, including all the bad jokes! The fun videos have really gotten the community excited about the draws. Tony has been the President of the Thamesford Trojans Hockey Club for many years and provides valuable leadership and experience to the successful Club. Tony can be found at many community events, playing important roles at the Santa Claus parade and the Lions Community Sing each Christmas season. Tony is a valuable member of the community!

John Turvey has been volunteering with both theatre groups in Embro (Dinner Theatre and Thistle Theatre) for a number of years, as well as heavily involved with Embro Soccer. He is currently the Thistle Theatre board President where he handles all of the print media announcements and reports - Zorra Now, Villiage Voice, Crier Flyer. John has two children who are both involved in Embro-based recreation - Highland Dance and soccer. John is also now the Thistle liaison on board with the new pavilion group. 

Doug Ferguson is a long time resident, long time member and past President of the Caledonian Society, long time member of the Beachville District Museum Historical Society and he is on the Museum Board of Directors. He is the go-to when you need a handyman, repair man, helper, designer, and installer. The number of hours he has contributed selflessly to this community is uncountable.  

This group of individuals has been meeting and working tirelessly to not only come up with ways to raise money, but to consistently and actively promote raising money for this community project.

Crystal and Debbie headed up the "Light up the Village" for Embro a few years ago and the participation level grows each year from their enthusiasm and dedication to our village.

Finnleigh Howe's design for the Zorra Multi-Use Courts Committee was selected as the winner in their logo contest! This logo will be used for posters, signage, and other materials related to the ZMCC. Thanks to everyone who submitted a design and congratulations to Finnleigh for being selected as the winner!

Lion Jim Keron's contributions to the community demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to maintaining relationships within the Thamesford Lions club as well as with the general public. Jim has provided exceptional mentorship to new and old Lions while also facing the challenges of public health restrictions during the past year. His technical knowledge and guidance for hosting meetings, establishing hybrid zoom calls, reinventing events like the annual holiday carol show and the District A-15 3 day convention into virtual events, allowed for everyone to have access, to participate, and to feel welcomed during a time when it was easier to cancel events and stop meetings. Jim is always willing to do his part for the good of the community regardless of the mission. He is helpful, resourceful, and happy to offer service no matter the task. Through many changes in leadership, Jim has made a difference and has positively impacted the people of our community. He is a role model for all future Lions.

Paul, this past winter (with support of others), selflessly worked non stop to create and maintain a community hockey rink on the river in Thamesford. This year was key in creating a winter wonderland for the community to safely come together and enjoy. His smiling face was met by many who came out and enjoyed it! Thanks Paul for Doing Your Part for our community!

Ruth Calder who is out nearly everyday making people happy through her gift of music and we would like to nominate her for volunteer of the year. These are just a few places we know of: Organist Thamesford United Church for 35 years; Organist now for Lakeside Anglican Church Supply; Organist for Thorndale United Church; Music for Thamesford Lions Club Christmas Carol Sing; 2-hour dinner music twice a month for Riverside retirement home; Plays for sing-along every month at Riverside retirement home & Royal Cliff retirement home; Plays for a program at Kingsway Lodge 8 months a year; Plays for the seniors at Dorchester Terrace;  Plays for church twice a month at Woodingford Lodge, Ingersoll; Plays for the memorial service four times a year at Woodingford. Plus many weddings and funerals.

Janice has served as the Secretary of the Beachville District Historical Society and is the Chairperson of a newly formed Outreach Committee at Beachville District Museum. Through a friendly manner, focused planning and faith in the Museum’s future, she has grown the Speaker Series Program by over 400% in attendance. She instigated the installation of 3 exhibits covering local histories from Zorra at the Museum and has coordinated several more talks and exhibits for 2019. Janice is tireless in her efforts to see the site upgraded for the enjoyment of future generations of Zorra residents, inspiring upgrades to the security system, the grounds, and gardens. She is fearless, generous and tireless in her advocacy of Zorra’s heritage and the Museum’s resources. Janice has donated more energy and hours to these causes than we can ever thank her for.

A retired public servant and farmer who has continued his public service in a volunteer capacity including his many years of community service with the Thamesford Lions Club, his years as a member of Zorra’s Recreation Advisory Committee and more recently as chairperson of Zorra’s Water and Wheels committee which has been successful in raising monies and support for a spraypad and skatepark in Thamesford. Also active in making sure the carpet/indoor lawn bowling continues and is an active member of the Thamesford Lawn bowling club helping to maintain the grounds.  And also contributing in more way than we know as he helps friends and neighbours.  Congratulations to the Township of Zorra Senior of the Year, Don Weir.

Recipient was instrumental in the Embro Town Hall lift project and spent many hours organizing the project. Congratulations to the Township of Zorra Volunteer of the Year, Wendy Marshall!

Ella Perry is the winner of our 2018 Earth Day Poster Contest. There were 38 entries received and Ella’s was selected as the winning poster and is featured as the cover of the spring edition of the Zorra Now. Ella is a grade 4 student at Thamesford Public School.

Sam has always taken a very active role in the Harrington Area Community Association and has taken many initiatives to "create community". He was chair from 2011-2014 and Vice chair for 4 years before that. Within HACA Sam is presently actively involved in: Harrington Mill Restoration Committee, Harrington Sign Committee, Harrington Heritage 150 celebration, Music Committee, Instrumental in writing grant applications for the club and mill, two of which have been successful. Sam has been involved with and/or representative or liaison with drafting the HACA by-laws, researching Harrington History. Sam has been responsible for bringing to the meetings things that create community through Public Relations with HACA and the Library, Oxford Creative Connections, Future Oxford. Recently, Sam has been volunteering his time at the Zorra office to assist with archiving of various historical records.

Anne Hollis has been active in our community for many years. For the last 20 years she has volunteered at Knox United in Embro, with the last 10 being particularly busy. She also volunteers at the Seniors centre in Ingersoll for the last 6 years. Over the last 3 years she has added volunteering in the kitchen at Camp Tanner to her list of duties. But perhaps her greatest and most lasting impact on her community is in crossing the generational divide. Ever since her granddaughter Sarah started school, at A. J. Baker P. S. In Kintore, Anne has been a fixture there. She has gone to the school on an almost daily basis to help the youngest children begin to learn to read. There are many children in the area who read their first sentence with Mrs. Hollis.

Jack has been an active member of the Thamesford Lions Club since 1974, currently serving second term as President. Jack spearheaded the campaign to raise funds for a new generator for Sakura House and raised $100K. Former trustee at Westminster Church. Through Lions Club supports Children's recreational events & pet rescue. Works tirelessly to support local food banks. Never without a smile on his face - A valued member of our community!