At the Spirit of Ladysmith Community Awards presentation Saturday night at Aggie Hall, Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce director Rick Morencie went up to the podium and spoke about how he went around town and took pictures of all the nominees for the awards ceremony. He talked about how much he appreciated this chance to get to know his community even better and get to know the nominees.
His speech was very sweet, and I feel like it summed up a lot of what the awards night was all about. So many people, businesses, clubs and organizations are recognized during the Spirit of Ladysmith Awards that this one night really gives you a chance to get to know the people who are such a big part of our community. It brings people who do so much behind the scenes and give so much of themselves when no one is looking into the spotlight.
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce’s Spirit of Ladysmith Community Awards are a great opportunity to recognize people in our community. It’s so nice to have a chance to come together and celebrate people’s giving nature and their community spirit.
And community spirit really was all around us Saturday night. It was evident in the way Chamber of Commerce president Rob Waters recognized Kathy Holmes, a fellow Chamber director who is receiving a B.C. Community Achievement Award for her tireless volunteer service in the community. You could see it in the way the Chamber directors presented a birthday cake to Ladysmith Family and Friends executive director Jacquie Neligan. It was obvious in the way everyone was so excited for their friends and neighbours when they were announced as nominees and winners. And it was evident at the end of the night when so many people helped clean up.
The Spirit of Ladysmith Community Award really is the perfect name for the event. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and to everyone who made the event such a success.
— Lindsay Chung