Fred and Myrna Mayor are the first couple to be jointly awarded Morden’s citizen of the year honour, and their resumes show they are equally deserving.
Both were similarly overwhelmed last week when they learned the Morden Area Foundation would be presenting the 2023 citizen of distinction award to them.
“We’re kind of thunderstruck, that’s for sure,” said Fred, while Myrna added that “I find it very humbling … you don’t do what we have done to be recognized like this, but it’s great.”
The citizen of distinction award recognizes an individual who has made a strong commitment to making the City of Morden a better place to live, visit and play through their long-term commitment by service and leadership.
Fred and Myrna are being recognized for their outstanding record of volunteer service spanning over five decades.
Fred has been an active member of the Elks club since joining in 1968, and as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, he has chaired the sick and visiting committee and together with Myrna volunteered at community bingos and continues to work the meat and card draws every three months.
He sat on the board of directors of Tabor Home for 12 years and was an active member of the Lions Club in the 80s and 90s and currently holds a seat on the Morden Activity Centre board.
Both Fred and Myrna are Corn and Apple Festival volunteers, working at various booths over the years and most recently helping at the Morden Activity Centre’s lunch, while Myrna served as festival queen mother in the early 90s.
Myrna managed the Morden Medical Centre until her retirement and remained active with community board. She was an active member of the Royal Purple until the organization ceased operation, and she has lent her voice to the St. Paul’s United Church choir since the 60s.
More recently, she was on the Morden Area Foundation’s Power of the Purse committee from 2021 to 2023, and she can also be found working volunteer shifts at the Morden Thrift Shop and currently sits on the board.
Fred and Myrna are faithful and active members of the St. Paul’s United Church, both having held various seats on the worship and policy committees and having been involved in fundraising and expansion initiatives and other groups. Both have also logged in many miles driving cancer patients to Winnipeg appointments through South Central Cancer Resource.
Nominators Sharon Deveson and Rick Britton sang their praises.
“Fred and Myrna Mayor were married at the United Church in Morden in 1967 and other than three years spent in Morris in the early 80s, they have remained committed to the City of Morden,” they noted. “One would be hard pressed to find a corner of the community that has not been impacted by Fred and/or Myrna’s volunteer efforts, as giving back is at the core of who they are.”
“I think this has been a community of great volunteers for years … it just seems to be the thing to do,” suggested Fred.
“I never give it a thought when there is something to do that needs for volunteers … anything I’ve ever volunteered for I’ve always just enjoyed it,” said Myrna. “There doesn’t seem to be trouble getting volunteers here like in some places.”
“There’s a satisfaction in doing it, and also when you’re volunteering, you see some of the fruits of what you’ve been doing,” added Fred.
“There’s things I have volunteered for, and it’s really been a great learning experience … and the benefits for the betterment of the community have been great,” said Myrna. “You feel that it’s all worthwhile, and you’re ready to go back and do some more volunteering.”
The award will be presented at a reception Sun., May 26 at St. Paul’s United Church in Morden. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m., and the program will start at 2 p.m.
