J.J. Kelso Awards

J.J. Kelso Awards for 2009 were presented to Sandra Harvey, a recently retired long-service HCAS Staff member and Ralph Porter, a retired educator and Kiwanis Club member, by HCAS Board member, Elmer Buchanan and Quinte Children’s Foundation representative to the Society’s Board, Peter Knudsen.

Sandra Harvey worked for 35 years with the Society as a Child Care worker, Children’s Services worker, Supervisor and Quinte West Branch Manager. During that time she was a Society representative at Eastern and Provincial level organizations and was instrumental in encouraging the inclusion of foster parents in these groups. She has been described by her colleagues as compassionate, dedicated and enduring with an unwavering belief that we can make a positive difference in the life of a child.

Ralph Porter was an Elementary school teacher with the HPEDSB for 21 years and for 17 years, organized and hosted the Hastings County Invitational Relays (during that time 25,000 youngsters participated). Among his many accomplishments, he has for the past 8 years chaired the scholarship/awards committee for Kiwanis which results in $250 scholarships to six local high schools and this past year organized a Kiwanis Builder’s Club at the Quinte Mohawk School to raise funds for a school for indigenous children in Honduras. He has been described by his colleagues as a strong advocate of children, working to make them reach their full potential, academically and socially.