Honouring our community builders

Winners of this year’s Community Builders Awards expressed amazement and emotion at being recognized for their service to their community.

“I was really surprised,” Oryst Sawchuk said. “I want to thank Narasim Katary for initiating this nomination.”

Sawchuk, who won the arts award, is a local artist, sculptor, and architect. He participates in many community committees and organizations. His award was sponsored by GijimaAst.

Marc Boudreau and Denis Pitre accepted the economic development award for Bestech, a member of the local mining supply and service cluster of industries (SAMSSA).

“We contribute to helping to diversify the economy of this city. That makes it sustainable,” Boudreau said upon accepting the award. He is president of the company.

Boudreau is also current president of SAMSSA, and is a director with MIRARCO, a research organization associated with Laurentian University. Ontrak Control Systems sponsored the award.

Retired teacher Anna Maria Barsanti was presented with the education award.

“I am humbled,” Barsanti said. She was noted by the judges for her taking-to-heart the credo that it takes a whole village to raise a child. Jean Hanson, director of the Rainbow District School Board applauded her dedication to teaching over her career. Vale Inco was the sponsor of her award.

Winner of the environmental award was the Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit. They are a group of local researchers, affiliated with Laurentian University, who for 20 years have been researching the ability of local lakes to bounce back after being subject to pollution.

Accepting the award were scientists Dr. John Gunn, Bill Keller and Tom Johnston. The award was sponsored by Sandvik.

“The natural resources of this community, our lakes, are as important to this community as are the nickel resources,” Gunn said.

Léo Therrien was recipient of the health care award. He is executive director of the Maison Vale Inco Hospice, which houses the terminally ill.

“(The hospice) is all about kindness and compassion,” Therrien noted. McQueen’s Furniture was the sponsor of the award.

Chris Gore, Greater Sudbury manager of community partnerships, accepted the sport and recreation Community Builders Award, sponsored by Akfit Fitness Super Store. He has been responsible for championing Adanac Ski Hill, Rainbow Routes Association’s trail building efforts, the revitalization of the Laurentian track and the James Jerome Sports Complex. He noted the contribution of his family, including his mother, who was present for his success.

Candice Kirkbride won the young leader award, sponsored by Fortin Foundation.

When she was 15, she was hit by an impaired driver and suffered brain damage as a result. Despite this severe injury she has bounced back and gives talks to local schools about the perils of drinking and driving.

“I am so grateful,” she said.

Businessman Risto Laamanen, who died six months ago, was given the hall of fame award. His children accepted the award, sponsored by Mining Technologies International.

“He was such a humble person,” Kris, his son, said. “I once asked him how he could find the time to participate in so many committees apart from his business. He said he did it because it was important.”

For more information about the Community Builder Awards and the winners in each category, go to www.cbawards.ca.