Media Release - Lanark County Awards of Excellence

For immediate release
Nov. 8, 2023

Recipients honoured with Awards of Excellence

Four recipients were honoured by Lanark County Council on Wednesday evening for their work to enhance life in the community.

The Awards of Excellence recognize and honour citizens or organizations that have made a significant and/or extraordinary contribution to Lanark County. This year, council recognized Wendy O’Keefe of Home Hospice North Lanark in the Community Service category, Christine Row of Mississippi Mills Public Library in the Youth category, Linda McGreevy of the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital Foundation in the Volunteerism category and Thomas Cavanagh Construction Limited for Philanthropy.

“It is such an honour to recognize our local residents and organizations for their generosity and outstanding contributions in Lanark County,” said Warden Peter McLaren (Lanark Highlands Reeve). “The Awards of Excellence are one way we can highlight the work and thank people for helping to improve quality of life in Lanark County.”

The awards program began in 2005 and recognizes recipients for contributions to the county at large or in at least two municipalities. It was developed to say thank you to citizens of Lanark County, to provide community recognition and visibility, to support citizens for their contributions and to inspire further community service.

Wendy O’Keefe of Mississippi Mills is Volunteer Consultant-Public Relations and Marketing for Home Hospice North Lanark (HHNL). This “hospice without walls” works through education, advocacy, presence and companionship and support to enhance well-being of individuals, and their caregivers, who experience life-limiting illness and bereavement. Her nominator, Mary Anne Harrison, said O’Keefe’s role has increased over 10 years from making business cards for HHNL to creating and maintaining an online presence for the organization, leading and coordinating fundraising efforts, helping with publications and presentations, and training. The organization receives no government funding to support its free service, and client numbers have tripled in the past year.

O’Keefe became involved with HHNL following the death of her husband, David. At the time she was a graphic design business owner and raising four children. She had learned there are few resources to help people caring for loved ones at home and understood what caregivers needed most. “[She started] volunteering for Home Hospice when it came into being so that she could make sure that others did not go through what she had,” said Jan Watson, HHNL Chair, in a letter of support. “It is not often that we see volunteers with this kind of commitment, dedication and compassion and we are so grateful to have Wendy as a part of our team.”

In the last year, O’Keefe led HHNL’s largest fundraiser – an online auction – that surpassed its $20,000 target and attracted more than 150 sponsors and donors. She devoted countless hours to the work that benefits clients and those needing support from hospice, including people who attend public education events, pick up curated books from local libraries, or find information about HHNL online.

“Wendy’s constant dedication and commitment raises awareness of HHNL programs, services and fundraising events that provide exceptional benefits to residents of Lanark County,” said her nominator Mary Anne Harrison. This sentiment was echoed in letters of support by Vicki Geuer and Toni Surko (HHNL director), who noted fundraising revenue has increased by 50 per cent thanks to O’Keefe’s efforts.

Christine Row is CEO of the Mississippi Mills Public Library (MMPL) and was nominated by Jill McCubbin, who highlighted initiatives spearheaded by Row that have gone on to benefit citizens across Lanark County. “Christine has a vision for a safe, equitable and dynamic community,” McCubbin said, adding she leads by example and excels at community building and service, which benefits young families, children and vulnerable populations.

A key initiative undertaken by Row is the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program for youth aged 8 to 17. It began in 2020 and includes teaching skills in 3D printing, video game development, virtual reality software development and LEGO robotics, which leads toward careers in many fields. Similar programs offered elsewhere are costly, and a lack of access to them was identified as a disadvantage for rural youth. In 2023, Row and her team organized and secured funding to run STEM at all Lanark Libraries (Mississippi Mills, Carleton Place, Lanark Highlands, Perth and Smiths Falls), benefiting young people across Lanark County. Row is working on ways to expand STEM for future years and funding for 2024 is being secured.

Other initiatives include an effort to promote diversity, equity and inclusivity and supported, safe spaces in libraries; eliminating overdue fines to reduce service barriers; creating new library access points for rural residents; eliminating non-resident fees for all users across Lanark County when they have a membership with their home library; creating reciprocal borrowing agreements; and partnering in Schoolbox North, which helps raise funds and support for the Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation learning centre/library project in Northern Ontario.

In a letter of support, Lanark Highlands Public Library CEO Amanda Robinson said bringing the STEM program to all five libraries in the county “made the most of shared resources, support and represented a true collaborative partnership.”

MMPL Chair Barbara Button added Row’s “forward-thinking initiatives have benefitted not only our entire community but, in many ways, the entire County of Lanark.”

“Her efforts realize benefits far beyond what her professional responsibilities would usually affect,” McCubbin said. “Christine has elevated what it means to be a library CEO with vision.”

Linda McGreevy of Carleton Place is chair and campaign advisor for the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) Foundation. Her nominator, Robyn Arseneau, Executive Director of the foundation, highlights McGreevy’s “tireless efforts, financial gifts and selfless dedication” to the CPDMH Foundation, Carebridge Community Support and Lanark County Interval House (LCIHCS) as examples of the spirit of this award. “Her passion for giving back to her community is nothing short of inspirational. She has not only provided invaluable leadership and monetary gifts to the organizations she loves, but has also invested countless hours in lending her talents to shaping the direction of our local Lanark County community as a whole.”

McGreevy has more than 30 years’ experience in professional fundraising, which she focused on her local community upon retirement. She joined the CPDMH Foundation board in 2018 and became chair in 2021, contributing thousands of volunteer hours and raising hundreds of thousands of dollars. Arseneau says her dedication to the foundation’s mission helped shape its direction through the 2022-2028 strategic plan, ensuring funds will continue to be raised well into the future. “Her extensive fundraising experience, primarily in health care, has proven invaluable in assisting the foundation in raising essential funds for our hospital. These funds have been instrumental in meeting the hospital's ongoing need for new equipment and funding critical capital projects like the construction of the new emergency department.”

In a letter of support, Sue Barkley, Coordinator of the As Good As New Store and Suit Yourself Program for LCIHCS, said McGreevy has played a crucial role in the newly established Suit Yourself Program, which aims to empower and assist women in their journey towards finding employment or preparing for legal proceedings. “Linda's unwavering support and wealth of experience have been truly priceless in the successful launch of this program.”

Robert Eves, CEO of Carbridge Community Support, said in his letter of support that McGreevy is an avid volunteer who “easily develops and fosters relationships” and “understands the implicit needs of the community and initiates ideas to support our efforts.”

Thomas Cavanagh Construction Limited (TCCL), located in Beckwith Township, was nominated by Faye Campbell. The company was founded almost 70 years ago by Tom and Kay Cavanagh. Tom began the company with his brothers Gerald and Terry after he returned from working on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Today the business employs more than 1,200 people, most of whom are Lanark County residents, and son Jeff and daughter Lori have taken over the reins.

Campbell noted numerous instances when TCCL has helped for the benefit of the entire county. During the Ice Storm of 1998, they supplied generators to county municipalities so people could stay warm, have a shower and get a hot meal. They also used their equipment to help clear roads of fallen trees.

“When Lanark County hosted the 2003 International Plowing Match, in came the ‘Cavanagh Army!’” Campbell said. “Roads were built and tents went up on the farmland. This was in addition to their support as a sponsor. Tom also found and supplied a dance floor for one of the entertainment tents.” Campbell said local municipalities and community organizations have benefitted from the Cavanagh stages that have been supplied for many events, including the Lanark County Harvest Festival.

In a letter of support, Bob White, Team Lead for the Carleton Place Recreation and Culture Department, said TCCL has supported numerous events when requested. “Without their sponsorship support over the years, some of the events…would not be possible.”

Robyn Arseneau, Executive Director of the Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital Foundation, highlighted TCCL’s support for the hospital, including “transformative contributions” made to the campaign to raise funds for patient care equipment and the construction of the new emergency department. After Thomas passed away in 2019, the company made a $1 million contribution to the campaign. “The establishment of the Thomas Cavanagh Foundation also speaks volumes to the family’s commitment in carrying forward his legacy of compassionate giving to numerous causes throughout their community.” TCCL is the largest one-time donor to the CPDMH Foundation in its 29-year history. Lori is now co-chair of the capital campaign.

McLaren thanked all recipients for their generosity and dedication. “Your contributions have made a difference in Lanark County. You have left a legacy and are role models to others. On behalf of Lanark County Council and our communities, thank you for your outstanding efforts to enhance quality of life for so many people.”

Awards of Excellence recipients are recognized on a plaque in the county administration building, as well as on the county website at www.lanarkcounty.ca and through local media.