Jayne MacKenzie is Centre Wellington’s 2015 Citizen of the Year.
Each year the announcement is made as an ambush surprise – and it worked once more on April 14.
“What have you done to me Heather?” MacKenzie asked as she walked into the Groves Memorial Community Hospital board room filled with well wishers.
Heather Gergovich, chair of the Groves Hospital Foundation and co-chair of the new hospital campaign committee, nominated MacKenzie for the honour.
When Mayor Kelly Linton congratulated MacKenzie, she said, “I’m really shocked, I am so shocked.”
Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce president Janet Harrop presented MacKenzie with a gift and stated there were many letters of support from co-workers and friends. Harrop offered “a very heart-felt congratulations.”
In her nomination form, Gergovich stated MacKenzie and her husband Rob are residents of Fergus, “and I honestly have never met another individual who volunteers her time to support her community as much as Jayne MacKenzie.”
Gergovich wrote she got to know MacKenzie when she was vice-chair of the foundation and soon realized MacKenzie dedicated many hours to the hospital and foundation – but also to many other organizations.
Gergovich stated MacKenzie’s many volunteer efforts include:
– Spark’s leader (Girl Guides) for three years;
– volunteering as a bowling coach for four years with the Youth Bowling Council (five pin);
– working on the Fergus Skating Club fundraiser for six years and also serving as board member for one year;
– a Heart and Stroke canvasser since 2007;
– two 60km breast cancer walks for Princess Margaret, raised close to $6,000;
– three CIBC Run for the Cures (5km), raised about $3,000;
– volunteered on the Crime Stoppers board of directors and fundraising for three years;
– volunteers at her local curling club;
– organized a Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner;
– was on the 2007 Groves Hospital Foundation resources committee;
– from 2008-2012 on the Groves Hospital Foundation board of directors; and
– from 2012-2014 chair Groves Hospital Foundation.
Gergovich added Mackenzie recently won an award of excellence at her place of employment, A.O. Smith, for all of her volunteer work in the community.
“Jayne brings a level of organization, dedication, but most of all enthusiasm to any group or organization she is volunteering with. I am inspired by all Jayne does and proud to call her a friend,” said Gergovich.
Jerome Quenneville, president and CEO of Groves Memorial Community Hospital, was also proud to endorse the nomination.
In a written endorsement, Quenneville said, “as past president of the Groves Hospital Foundation, Jayne has long exemplified a level of commitment to our community hospital and the hospital foundation that can serve as a model for others.”
He added, “She clearly recognizes the impact that our community hospital has had on her life and she has been aggressive in ‘giving back’ to our hospital and our community.”
Quenneville stated the hospital foundation is always seeking the ingredients of engaging leaders in the community.
“Jayne MacKenzie has intentionally connected to our institution to help shape our future ability to offer quality health care close to home.”
Quenneville noted that in her role as board chair, MacKenzie provided a strong voice for the hospital foundation and its commitment to support Groves and the community’s health care needs.
“Volunteerism and leadership is based on a vision that is informed by personal experience and commitment and Jayne clearly defines that rationale of the Citizen of
the Year award and merits serious consideration.”
Quenneville continued, “Leading a comprehensive fundraising campaign for digital mammography and the ‘Get Real’ campaign and providing a significant leadership gift while fostering board social dynamics resulted in effective and enthusiastic participation by all foundation board members is a testament to her effective leadership that benefits health care in our community.
“Jayne’s passion for the Groves Hospital Foundation and its community hospital is clearly and directly related to her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor.
“Jayne has not allowed the challenges of her personal life experiences and the raising and stewarding of funds for the advancement of health care in our community separate and limit her engagement. Jayne’s commitment is real and has been a difference maker in the improvement of health care in our community.”
Karen Willson, acting executive director of the Groves Foundation, stated, “For over nine years Jayne has brought her energy, enthusiasm and leadership to the mission and activities of the Groves Memorial Community Hospital Foundation. Being a breast cancer survivor herself, Jayne became a passionate advocate for the hospital and the exemplary work of our medical staff.
“She was involved with the highly successful ‘Purple Bra Campaign in 2007’ to support women’s oncology services and represented the Foundation at numerous community events and cheque presentations each year.
“She also provided superior leadership to the foundation board serving as a member, vice chair, chair, and currently past-chair.
“Jayne is always eager to step forward and help in whatever way possible and we cannot thank her enough for all of her time, effort and support. We cannot think of a more deserving person to be Center Wellington’s Citizen of the Year.”
A.O. Smith human resources manager Mary Shannon stated “Jayne recognizes that volunteerism is necessary for charities and hospitals to be successful.”
She noted that “(MacKenzie’s) own personal battle with breast cancer was not the only driving force to dedicate her time. It is who she is.
“You know when you meet her that her life is most worthwhile when she is doing something for someone else.
“She helps you with everything except for maybe her favourite cookie recipe, she keeps that a secret.”
Shannon said the results are infectious, inspiring others to volunteer.
Later, MacKenzie said she was still shaking.
“I am so honoured. I’ve been in this community for 20 years and I just love it here.”
MacKenzie stressed, “I volunteer not for the recognition, but for the absolute satisfaction of volunteering in this community with so many great people. To be chosen Citizen of the Year is such a surprise and honour.”
She also looked forward to be at the upcoming awards of excellence.
Chamber of Commerce General Manager Roberta Scarrow said she was really pleased that MacKenzie was chosen as this year’s recipient.
“She volunteers a lot with the hospital and in the community.”
This year’s awards of excellence are on May 14 at the Fergus Grand Theatre with the theme “Centre Wellington – 50 Shades of Excellence!”
Tickets are $50 including HST and are available at Scotiabank until May 1.
