Public Notice – 2025 Community Builder Award Winners
November 24, 2025
Each year the Township of Addington Highlands’ Council and AHEAD Committee (Addington Highlands Economic Advisors for Development) call for nominations of a deserving person to receive a Community Builder Award in any of the following five categories: Business Leader; Citizen of the Year; Sportsperson of the Year; Art, Culture & Heritage, and Emerging Youth Leader.
We are pleased to announce the Recipients of the 2025 Community Builder Awards and provide a short summary of the nomination submissions for each recipient.
Casey Keller Skidding Ltd. received the Business Leader Award. Sometimes, businesses operate for years unnoticed in the background, continually providing employment, supporting other companies, and creating a positive impact on their community. This describes Casey Keller Skidding Ltd. The business began in 1997 and has continued to grow steadily over the years. They do not have a storefront or an online website however they do have an incredible impact on our community as they provide sustainable forestry operations and employ a number of people in our community. They also volunteer their time and donate equipment and operators when needed for community events and actively participate in and support these events.
Red and Lois Emond received the Citizen of the Year Award. Volunteers run our local Foodbank, and every one of them are dedicated; Lois and Red bear the most significant load and responsibility for ensuring that over 113 households receive the support they need. For the past 15 years, Lois plans the twice weekly shopping trips to multiple towns, and they travel (out of their own pocket) every week to obtain the discounted food items, ensuring they have plenty for everyone. Red and Lois are members of the Lions Club of Land O’Lakes; Red is one of four people who collects and organizes the bottles that are donated. Lois helps cook meals almost every week for the community and the Lions. The club’s survival in 2013 can be largely credited to Red, and his leadership as President in 2024 further ensured the stability and resilience of the club. As a result, he received recognition by the Lions Clubs International. Lois also received the Queen Elizabeth II Medal in 2024 for Good Citizenship.
Brenda Hawley and Marlene Dacuk received the Sportspersons of the Year Award. In 2019, they started a simple but necessary walking program held at NAEC during the winter months. The program has helped many seniors who may not have access to any forms of exercise, particularly during the winter months. These small projects do not happen on their own, leaders like Brenda and Marlene keep them going for the benefit of the community.
Charlotte and Chloe Dafoe received the Art, Cultural and Heritage Award. They chose to honour our local veterans of the first and second World Wars with the Griffith, Matawatchan, Denbigh, and Vennachar Banner Program. This Veteran Memorial Banner Project is in partnership with the Denbigh-Griffith Lions Club, the Township of Addington Highlands, and the Township of Greater Madawaska; each banner has a photo and name of a local veteran which are currently on display in each town.
Ella Bence received the Emerging Youth Leader Award. Ella has demonstrated exceptional leadership, initiative, and compassion. She has played a key role behind numerous school events and has an ability to motivate and inspire her peers. Ella is a positive role model and has demonstrated this through the mentorship of a younger child with specific needs by offering steady guidance and emotional support. Through Ella’s support, this student is thriving in high school.
The Township and AHEAD Committee would like to thank the Recipients for their efforts in the Community and congratulate them on a job well done.