Title
PRESENTATION TO THE RECIPIENTS OF THE ORDER OF THE SPIRIT CATCHER AND YOUTH SPIRIT CATCHER AWARD.
Councillor B. Ward and Councillor S. Trotter on behalf of the Order of the Spirit Catcher Committee announced that the recipients of the 2017 Order of the Spirit Catcher and Youth Spirit Catcher Award are the highest awards presented in the City of Barrie and that the recipients were recognized at a gala held by the Barrie Community Foundation.
Councillor Ward discussed the number of applications received and he noted that the contributions of those who were nominated were inspiring. He discussed the nomination process and the surprise experienced by the recipients when they are notified that they are to receive these awards. Councillor Ward described the criteria associated with the Order of the Spirit Catcher Award and the Youth Spirit Catcher Award (for ages 12 to 18). He stated that there were two candidates that stood out this year.
Youth Spirit Catcher
Councillor S. Trotter announced that the recipient for the 2017 Youth Spirit Catcher Award was Mr. Zachary Hofer. He advised that Zachary Hofer made headlines with the "Zach Makes Tracks' journey to Parliament Hill in Ottawa to raise funds for the future Child and Youth Mental Inpatient Unit at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre. Councillor Trotter noted that Zachary received three nominations.
Councillor Trotter highlighted that many people in the community caught the Zack Makes Tracks fever and discussed activities such as "Baskets for Zach", a charity barbeque, "Zach's Send-off Fun Run" and dropping the puck at Hockey Night in Simcoe County at the Barrie Molson Centre to support Zach in his endeavours. Councillor Trotter commented that Zach has raised over $70,000 for the Child and Youth Mental Inpatient Unit at the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and he noted that more importantly he has raised the awareness of youth mental health issues.
In closing, Councillor Trotter comm...
Click here for full text