Brighton volunteers are the heartbeat of the community – and 16 volunteer extraordinaries were in the spotlight Thursday night in Brighton as the municipality hosted its annual volunteer recognition event.
Wayne Jefferson picked up the prestigious Brighton Community Service Excellence Award for his unwavering dedication to the community.
“Wayne Jefferson is the embodiment of selfless service and dedication to our community.” said Mayor Brian Ostrander. “His tireless work with the Downtown Business Improvement Area, from organizing Light Up Brighton during the Christmas season to ensuring our downtown blooms with beautiful flowers, reflects his commitment to enhancing the vibrancy of our town.
“Wayne prefers to work quietly in the background, organizing things for the community, and I know he’s been caught weeding the cracks in the sidewalk. His impact is profoundly felt, and we are incredibly fortunate to have someone of his caliber contributing so much to Brighton.”
Jefferson has been involved in several organizations locally, including the Brighton Garden Club. He is often seen pulling weeds and planting in many of Brighton’s gardens, and the Brighton Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA), where he also serves as the board’s treasurer, reads a recent release from the municipality.
“Wayne has spent countless hours beautifying the downtown core and ensuring Brighton is a pleasant place to visit year-round.”
The Brighton Community Service Excellence Award (formerly the Citizen of the Year Award) honours individuals who’ve made significant contributions to the municipality and in service of local residents.
Last year’s recipient was Craig Kerr.
The recognition event was hosted at the Owen Gibb Community Hall on Thursday, May 1.
Council, municipal staff, community volunteers and more gathered to celebrate volunteers’ selflessness and recognize those who dedicate their time and talents to better the community.
In addition to Jefferson, the ceremony shone a light on another 15 volunteers who picked up Spirit of Service Awards.
Recipients included: Debbie Bradley, Brian Brose, David Crouch, Mel and Jeremy Dean, Brian Hollingsworth, Rose Massey, Kathy and George McCormack, Richard Robb, Mary Robertson, Des Rodrigues, Erv and June Ulmer, and Linda Wallis.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
