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2007 Corene Hamill Spirit Award Winner Jeff McKinnon

Jeff responds...

As the 2007 recipient of the Corene Hamill Spirit Award, it is an honour to accept this prestigious award.

I would like to thank the people from K-W Access-Ability who decide on choosing the recipients each year. With the high number of participants in K-W Access-Ability, I am sure it is a challenge each year exactly who to choose as the recipient.

It was told to me that I meet the requirements for eligibility for this award to a T, as Corene was a lot like me in that she was very outgoing. What is it exactly that I do? I have only been in the K-W area since August 1997, at which time I met both Chris Hodnett and Ron Fleming.

For about the first 14 months of moving into the K-W area from New Brunswick, I had challenges starting a job. Through the Lutherwood Youth Employment Centre, I was directed properly into holding down a job. Through a suggestion of my now late grandmother, I applied for a job with the City of Kitchener as a School Crossing Guard. I am pleased to report that I am still doing that job and am now into my 9th year, the longest job I have ever had! Three years later, I took on a second City job as a Parking Lot Attendant at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, and now I am the most senior out of five of us. Both of these jobs are very important for me personally.

I also deliver flyers for The Record to about 195 houses in my neighbourhood. I have been doing that constantly over the 10 years (if not delivering the paper).

Besides working (as if I am not busy enough), I volunteer with the Summer Program at KWA (as well as participating), and I have also volunteered/worked with RAISE Home Support (now Community Support Connections).

Again, it is an honour to accept this award.

Thank you,

Jeff McKinnon

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