National Seniors Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Island Seniors, says Valerie E. Docherty, Minister of Community Services and Seniors.
“The Prince Edward Island Senior Islanders of the Year Awards highlight the many talented individuals across the province,” said Minister Docherty. “As Minister Responsible for Seniors, it is a pleasure to recognize the unique role that Island seniors play in enhancing our Island communities.”
Minister Docherty joined Mary Hughes, Chair of the PEI Seniors’ Secretariat on National Seniors Day to honour four Islanders with 2014 PEI Senior Islanders of the Year Awards:
• Margaret Ching – Eastern Kings
• Corena Gairns – Montague
• Julie Simmons – Summerside
• Richard “Dick” Wedge – Summerside
The Senior Islanders of the Year awards celebrate the significant contributions of Island seniors in many areas of community life including volunteer work, artistic achievement, leadership, mentorship, fundraising, community participation, career achievements and other activities.
“The Prince Edward Island Seniors’ Secretariat is pleased to recognize the important contributions that senior leaders make in improving our way of life,” said Mary Hughes, Chair of the PEI Seniors’ Secretariat. “The recipients are remarkable examples of what is possible at any age or stage in life.”
For more information about the Senior Islanders of the Year awards or the award recipients, visit www.gov.pe.ca/seniors.
Backgrounder
Margaret Ching
Margaret Ching, Eastern Kings, has a reputation for sharing her time by volunteering with organizations such as the Home Equipment Loan Program, the 55+ Winter Games, the PEI Community Foundation and the PEI Senior Citizens’ Federation.
Mrs. Ching is involved in quilt fundraising initiatives as well as Eastern Kings Hospice and Eastern Kings Senior Neighbours Club, Red Cross, Girl Guides, the Basin Head Fishery Museum Boardwalk, and the PEI Archives and Records Office.
Active at St. Mary’s Church, she volunteers as a reader and organizer. She is also a strong supporter of her husband’s home church, Kingsboro Baptist Church, and supports the congregation by offering her cooking and baking skills.
A Diamond Jubilee medal recipient in 2013, Mrs. Ching can be described as “a person we should all desire to emulate and recognized for her caring nature and ability to problem solve with a wonderful balance of clarity, good sense and warmth.”
The PEI Seniors’ Secretariat is pleased to recognize Margaret Ching as a leader in community spirit and action.
Corena Gairns
Corena Gairns, Lower Montague, is a long-time volunteer with the Lower Montague Women’s Institute. She is active in community visiting, providing transportation to those in need and other Institute activities, and is also a founding member of the Home Health Care Equipment Cupboard (Southern Kings and Queens).
Mrs. Gairns has held leadership roles with the PEI Senior Citizens’ Federation and volunteers with the Montague Library, PEI Lung Association, Federal Retirees Association, St. Andrews Presbyterian church, Junior Ladies Auxiliary of Kings County Memorial Hospital and the Montague 50+ Seniors Club.
Ms. Gairns was recognized in 2000 with a Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International for her outstanding community contributions which exemplify “service above self.” She is described as “a sociable outgoing person who is always willing to lend a hand to help others.”
The PEI Seniors’ Secretariat is pleased to recognize Corena Gairns as a leader in creating positive change in Island communities.
Julie Simmons
Julie Simmons, Summerside, is an active volunteer with the Summerside and Area Historical Society, the Community Museums Association of PEI, and the International Fox Museum and Hall of Fame.
Mrs. Simmons pursued an interest in history and culture by restoring the Lecky property before opening the Silver Fox Inn in the 1980s. She operated it successfully until 1998 when she sold the business.
Awards and recognition include Summerside Volunteer of the Year in 2002, the PEI Museum and Heritage Award of Honour in 2011 and the City of Summerside Award of Honour in 2012. She is a member of the Summerside and Area Community Concert Committee and volunteers with the Prince County Hospital Auxiliary.
As reflected by one of her nominators, “Every project that evolves in one’s community needs a leader to advance that project and see it through to completion. Julie Simmons has been that leader...our community has been blessed with her leadership and is proud of her accomplishment.”
The PEI Seniors’ Secretariat is pleased to recognize Julie Simmons as a leader in the preservation of Island urban history and culture.
Richard “Dick” Wedge
Dick Wedge, Summerside, once owned Enman Drug on Water Street and is a renowned yachtsman and founding member of the Summerside Yacht Club.
Mr. Wedge was instrumental in forming a Junior Sailing Squadron to teach youth sailing and nautical skills and was a driving force behind the fundraising and building of the club’s rescue boat, “Te Amo,” in 1977 which is still in use today. He is passionate about racing and is a member of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary and Northumberland Strait Yachting Association where he served as president for several years.
Cited as a “…tireless promoter of sailing, especially the Junior Sailing program. He argued to keep fees low so children from lower income families could participate,” and “…he continues to inspire members of the Silver Fox to participate…this old Islander still has what it takes.”
“People like Dick are the reason Islanders are respected and loved by those ‘from away.’”
The PEI Seniors’ Secretariat is pleased to recognize Dick Wedge as a trail blazer who led the way in developing and furthering yachting on Prince Edward Island.