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Sandra Warden is 2011 Citizen of the Year BY SARAH MURRELL VOICE Staff Sandra Warden has been chosen from “an exceptional group of nominees” to be the Fonthill and District Kinsmen’s Citizen of the Year for 2011. Kin Kevin Twomey officially made the announcement for the Kinsmen on Wednesday, Feb. 8, telling The Voice Warden “epitomizes the meaning of an outstanding citizen.” Each year since 1998 the Fonthill and District Kinsmen have awarded the Citizen of the Year, which recognizes someone in the community who exemplifies volunteers and positive community activism. The award is intended to recognize the previous year’s work, but can also be in recognition of a lifetime of community dedication. Twomey said Warden is a “great candidate” for the 2011 Citizen of the Year award, noting it is not only her volunteer work but also her cheerful manner and smile. Warden is a long-time supporter of the Pelham Block Parent program, is a member of the Pelham Community Policing Committee, a member of the Bandshell Committee, and is on the board of Pelham Cares. Warden is also involved with the Craig Matthew Persia Foundation, which supports hospitals for sick
children. Warden is also a member of the Voice of Pelham’s Board of Directors and is the third Citizen of the Year to be associated with the Voice. The first Citizen of the Year was former Voice editor, Carolyn Mullin and former Voice board member Catherine Kuckyt was honoured in 2004. She is also recognized, said Twomey, for her “unofficial” work that isn’t associated with any specific organization, explaining when Warden sees someone in need, she helps. “She doesn’t pick one area, she gets involved where she’s needed,” said Twomey. “I do the things I do because I like to,” says Warden. Warden, who grew up in Pelham and moved back to the community in the mid 1980s, says she loves math and accounting, recalling as a teenager doing math while watching television. “It’s what I love to do,” says Warden. “If you notice what I do in the charity field, treasurer, treasurer, treasurer.” Warden explains her work with so many organizations as a desire to keep busy. “I was groomed that during the day you work,” she says, adding she likes to keep busy. “Idle hands you know,” she laughs. While Warden does do the books for the Lazy Loon, owned by her son Karey, and a couple of
SANDRA WARDEN, Pelham’s Citizen of the Year for 2011, is already getting recognition around town, including this sign outside of her son Karey’s restaurant, The Lazy Loon. Sarah Murrell/Voice Photo other businesses, Warden says she works mainly in the charity field because she simply likes to help people. “I live by the Golden Rule,” she says. “I always have.” Warden says even when she was selling real estate she enjoyed helping families find the house they wanted, adding she got involved with her clients and wanted to help them. “I enjoy people. I like to help people.” Characteristically humble, Warden says she “doesn’t do that much” and wonders if she deserves to be named
Citizen of the Year. “I’m honoured,” she says of being nominated and receiving the distinction. “I hope she takes it as recognition,” says Twomey of presenting the award to Warden. “The meaning she has brought to Pelham, I could talk for an hour.” On a personal note, Twomey said Warden inspires him because of her perseverance, noting she was widowed fairly young and raised six children on her own, her two children Karey and Jacqueline as well as four step-children. “She takes the negative and makes a positive,”
says Twomey of Warden’s approach to life. “You just keep trucking,” says Warden, noting she doesn’t feel she did anything extraordinary when her husband John passed away. “A lot of people raise kids by themselves. Everyone has a tough life.” Still demonstrating that positive attitude and cheerful manner, Warden joked she also lives by the motto that God doesn’t give you more than you can handle, you just have to figure out how the hell to handle it. Twomey thanked the community for the outstanding response
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to this year’s call for nominees, noting Warden was nominated more than once for the honour. He also recognized Mayor Dave Augustyn and council for helping to create events in Pelham that allowed our volunteers to step up and get involved. “All of our volunteers’ efforts contribute to our quality of life in Pelham,” said Twomey. “What we have and why we have it are because of the hours volunteers have committed.” Warden will be recognized formally at a dinner hosted by the Kinsmen on Tuesday, Feb. 28.