London Mayor Joe Fontana has released his 'Honour List for 2014,' which recognizes seven Londoners for their outstanding contributions to the community.
Each year, members of the community are nominated in specific categories as a means of recognizing the variety of philanthropic work in the city.
This year's list includes:
- Gary Smith - Environment
- Lloyd Stevenson - Housing
- Dr. Kenneth Wright - Humanitarian
- John Nicholson - Arts
- Rebecca Howse - Diversity & Race Relations
- Talia Goldberg - Persons with Disabilities
- Barry Fay - Sports
Smith is an environmentalist who has been instrumental in the Meadowlily Woods Environmental Significant Area and a key proponent and supporter of ReForest London and the Amazing Tree Quest. He is also involved in the city’s Trail Planning Guidelines.
Stevenson has been a leader and advocate for affordable housing for urban aboriginals and has been innovative and progressive in securing financing and ensuring the successful completion of a recent project on Commissioners Road.
He has also been instrumental in identifying the changing needs of seniors and then meeting those needs.
Wright, a professor at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at Western University, is a community volunteer and fundraiser with many organizations including the McCormick Home, S.A.R.I, the Scatcherd School and Community Living London.
He created Dental Outreach Community Services (DOCS), a mobile dental unit that provides free oral care to those who cannot afford or access mainstream dental services.
Nicholson's designs combine art and community revitalization with a respect for heritage and the environment. His work can be seen in many buildings across the city.
In his community work he has also served on a number of boards and many organizations including City of London advisory committees, London Community Foundation, London Arts Council and as chair of the Community Arts Investment Program.
Howse is a teacher and principal at the Thames Valley District School Board, pioneering programs for a diverse population serving all levels of education, including adult learning and English as a second language programs.
An active member of London’s Diversity and Race Relations Advisory Committee and chair of the education sub-committee, she also helped create the board-level Equity and Inclusive Education Committee to assist in providing an inclusive environment for all members of the school and greater community.
Goldberg is a member of Western University Dean’s Honour List, received the Western Continuing Education Admission Scholarship and plans to attend medical school.
She is also the president of the Adult Blind Swim Program at Western University and has a long list of volunteer activities.
Fay has been a major force in London’s sporting and volunteer community and his credentials and involvement includes multiple roles on local boards and leadership in the London Basketball Referees Association. He has also been honoured with a number of awards from various organizations.
As a Board Member of the Huff’N Puff Seniors Fitness Association since 1997, Fay helped grow the membership and the number of available activities. He was also instrumental in bringing the Ontario Senior Games 'Winterfest 2003' to the City.
This year's recipients will be honoured at the first city council meeting of the New Year.
