West Lincoln Community Recognition Awards

West Lincoln’s annual Community Recognition Awards recognize residents who, through personal involvement, leadership abilities, and selfless giving of their time and talent, have positively impacted the West Lincoln community.

Guidelines

  • All nominees must be residents of West Lincoln.
  • Nominees DO NOT need to be Canadian citizens.
  • Township of West Lincoln employees, based on services directly related to their responsibilities, are ineligible.
  • Current members of Council or any member of Council who has served within the last eight years prior to the date of nomination deadline are ineligible.

Nomination

The 2023 nomination period, which ran from from July 1, 2023, to September 8, 2023, is now closed.

Winners

A panel of judges comprised of community leaders review and grade each nomination (with any identifying information redacted). Based on the summation of grading, one winner is appointed in each category. Judges remain anonymous to the community and to one another, to maintain the integrity of judging.

2023 Winners

Congratulations to Marcus Bousfield, who won in the Ages 14 and under category, to Scott Antonides, who won in the Ages 55 and under category, and to Kathy Wetselaar, who won in the Over 55 category.

Families and friends of the winners, along with all members of the public, helped to congratulate the winners at an official celebratory event on October 26.

Marcus Bousfield stands beside Mayor Ganann as she speaks from a podium
Marcus Bousfield

Marcus is known for showing compassion and readily stepping up and helped out where he sees the need.

He has run multiple fundraisers (selling popcorn) for McNally House Hospice, where he has donated more than $1,000 each time. At the time of his nomination, he was already planning his third annual McNally fundraiser for late summer/early fall of this year.

Marcus collects food donations for West Lincoln Community Care every fall, and he has donated more than 150 pounds of food each year. He started organizing his own food drives during COVID, as his school didn’t hold their usual food drive and he was worried that some families wouldn’t have food for the holidays.

After receiving a chocolate bar purchased for him by his mother and hearing her explanation of what that chocolate bar was in support of, he immediately began organizing a popcorn/cotton candy night, which he held at the end of his driveway, to raise money for the Alyssa Davis Van Fund.

At the age of 10, Marcus is already being recognized as being a compassionate and empathetic young man.

Congratulations, Marcus, and keep up that great community spirit. You are an inspiration to our all young people as you demonstrate what being a kind, generous and supportive young citizen in our community looks like. Your community appreciates all that you do for others.

Scott Antonides accepts a certificate from Councillor Joann Chechalk, Mayor Ganann in the background
Scott Antonides

Scott has been an outstanding individual in our community. He has been the face of and a huge promoter of the tree program, run in partnership with his school and the Township. Through this program, more than 1,500 trees have been planted in an underdeveloped area of West Lincoln. He wisely used this opportunity to educate his Smithville Christian High School students and involve them in this strong community-building process.

Scott has orchestrated countless community trash collection and clean-up projects. He has aptly used social media to gain support from other members of the community to join in this clean-up campaign.

He has consistently aimed to broaden awareness of taking care of and beautifying our community.

Scott is a member of the Community for Responsible Growth. He is a strong advocate for protecting our Natural Heritage Systems, area Conservation and the maintaining of Green Space as our community grows.

Scott is well worthy of being recognized and celebrated for the positive impact that he brings to our community.

It is our pleasure to say congratulations and thank you, Scott, for your many contributions to our community, especially towards the protection of the environment. You are and always have been an exceptional role model for your students in particular and our community at large.

Kathy Wetselaar speaks from a podium with Mayor Cheryl Ganann smiling beside her
Kathy Wetselaar

Kathy’s impressive list of volunteer work in West Lincoln crosses over several decades. Early recollections of her involvement in the community include:

  • Serving as a member on the Smithville Fair Board

  • Chair of the Fundraising Committee to build the Leisureplex Township Park, which included hosting barbecue chicken dinners for 700 people

  • Serving on the Christmas Parade Committee

  • Volunteering in all three West Lincoln Community Care locations: the thrift store "The Community Cabin,” Food Bank, and Furniture Warehouse

  • Serving as the Youth and Education Chair of the Smithville Legion Branch 393 Executive, orchestrating the Poster and Literary competition in the Fall and the Speech competition in the Spring, which involves all West Lincoln Elementary Schools

  • Zone Youth and Education Chair for 16 Legion Branches in Niagara for the last 6 years, connecting with all Branches and their kids' programs

  • Assisting with the all Ontario speech program in Niagara Falls in 2021

  • Hosting the District speech competition in 2023, where kids from Toronto to London competed at Branch 393 in Smithville

  • Serving on the Board of Directors for the Legion Villa for many years

  • Serving as Chair of the West Lincoln Heritage Committee for 8 years, during which, the mural on the Murgatroyd building was planned and installed

  • Volunteering at the Niagara Christian Gleaners

Thank you, Kathy, for your incredible volunteer work in our community, and especially for the many opportunities you have provided for youth to shine through various creative endeavors that all align with good, respectful citizenship.