Community Living Chatham-Kent presented its annual awards recently for businesses, groups and individuals who have played a key role in aiding inclusion for people with an intellectual disability.
The Joyce M. Carr Champion Award – was won by Dean and Barb’s No Frills for its practice of hiring persons who have a disability. The award is named in honour of Joyce Carr, a former Manager at Community Living Chatham-Kent, who believed in employment for every person.
The Rob McLandress Make a Dream Come True Fund awards were given to Melissa Walker and Elynore Finley and Shawn Rivait. The $1,000 awards are given annually to two people who have an intellectual disability in order to help them fulfill a dream.
The late Father James Williams made the fund possible through a bequest to Community Living Chatham-Kent. Father Williams was an ongoing supporter of the work of Community Living Chatham-Kent and his bequest was made in honour of Rob McLandress.
Melissa will be using the funds to take her children on a vacation to Niagara Falls this summer while Elynore and Shawn will take their son to the African Lion Safari.
Other events planned to celebrate Community Living month include choice of a free dessert at the Parkfield Restaurant through May 13 and a hot dog BBQ at Downtown Deli May 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
