MEDIA RELEASE

***Chris posted to this blog/news site, but did not write this release. Release and photo are courtesy The Rotary Club of Bracebridge***

Bracebridge, ON —  It’s an honour of the highest order for any Bracebridge resident and a sibling connection more than forty years in the making.

After a lifetime of service to the community, Paul Hammond is being honoured for his contributions as the Rotary Club of Bracebridge Citizen of the Year. His name will now be added to a list that includes many of Bracebridge’s most notable citizens, including Paul’s late brother Orv, who was the first person ever to win the honour in 1982.

“I’m very surprised and I’m also very honoured,” said Paul. “I was raised to give back to the community and to be acknowledged for that by your own club is really special.”

The Rotary Club of Bracebridge Citizen of the Year Award program began in 1982 to honour a citizen who has demonstrated a pronounced and continued pattern of exemplary civic duty, and selfless volunteer service in our community. 

Paul is a strong supporter of the local community and serves on many committees including the District of Muskoka’s Donor Fund Committee and Humanitarian Committee, both of which assist local families.

“Paul not only qualifies but exceeds the criteria in his selfless contributions and hard work by helping our citizens who are in need,” said Bracebridge Rotary Citizen of the Year Sub-Committee Chair Doug Marshall. “He has been a valuable member of our club for 44 years, joining in 1979. He was club president in 1988 and was instrumental in the fundraising and construction of the Rotary Centre for Youth.”

Paul was a volunteer firefighter in Bracebridge for 18 years.  The Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce has honoured Paul and his previous company (Muskoka Transport) with various awards and commendations over the years in recognition of his community spirit.  The most recent award from the Chamber was in 2015 when he and his son Darcy were honoured for their outstanding contribution to Bracebridge following the sale of their trucking business.

Hammond was an original member of the Bracebridge Industrial Commission, and a long-time member of the Bracebridge Agriculture Society as well as a member of the Muskoka Pioneer Power Association. His trucking company supported the Santa Claus Parade in all three major Muskoka towns with the free use of truck cabs and flatbeds to be used for floats.

He served on the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation for 17 years including serving as past Board Chair.  He has helped to raise more than $1.5 million for the hospital over the years. He has also chaired the Picture of Health Campaign raising $5.7 million in three years.

To find more about the award and Paul’s many contributions to the community visit bracebridgerotary.ca

ABOUT ROTARY IN BRACEBRIDGE

The Rotary Club of Bracebridge was formed in 1936 and is one of 34,000 community-based service clubs throughout the world.

Recent, notable projects of the Bracebridge Rotary Club are the establishment of the Rotary Gardens on Taylor Road and Pine Street and the ongoing support for youth through the hosting of Girl Guides and Boy Scouts at the Rotary Centre for Youth. The Bracebridge Club has been a significant supporter for the world-wide “End Polio Now” Campaign.