A who's who of caring, charity and brave deeds gathered Monday night to receive John Graves Simcoe Medals of Excellence.
From the Simcoe County Paramedic Honour Guard and the Barrie Grey and Simcoe Foresters to Youth Haven and the Elmvale Food Bank, 50 individuals from Barrie, Springwater and Oro-Medonte were honoured.
MP Alex Nuttall is celebrating Canada's 150 birthday by handing out John Graves Simcoe Medals of Excellence to recognize area residents for going above and beyond to serve the community or our country.
The first of three award ceremonies was held at the Royal Canadian Legion on St. Vincent St. in Barrie.
A total of 150 recipients will be honoured at three special ceremonies this month.
"Canada's 150th birthday is an important opportunity to celebrate Canada's shared history and achievements," Nuttall said.
"I want to use this occasion to highlight the important contributions and achievements of ordinary Canadians which often go unnoticed and unrecognized."
Nuttall called upon constituents to nominate exceptional individuals, volunteers, groups, businesses and /or not-for-profit organizations.
The nomination period ran for four weeks from Apr. 3 to Apr. 28.
John Graves Simcoe was a British army general and the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791 until 1796. He was instrumental in introducing institutions such as courts of law, trial by jury, English common law and the abolition of slavery.
The second award ceremony will be held on June 19 at the Oro-Medonte Community arena.
The third event returns to the Barrie Legion on June 21.
