By Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News

Five Ridgetown and East Kent residents were in the spotlight last Thursday night at the John D. Bradley Centre in Chatham.

Amanda Brown, Paul Brown, Sara Crombez and Amy Klinkhamer, all of Ridgetown, along with Sandra Kearney of Howard Twp., were among 31 honourees from across Chatham-Kent at the fourth annual Community Recognition Awards.

The Community Recognition Awards are presented to residents whose volunteer efforts make a meaningful impact on their community.

“These are all residents who go the extra mile and put their skills, effort, and time into making Chatham-Kent a better place for everyone,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “I want to thank each of this year’s award winners and their families for everything they do.”

“CK wouldn’t be as amazing as it is without each and every one of you,” Caniff said. “I also want to thank all of the community members and Councillors who came out to support this great group of people.”

The Community Recognition Awards program is a partnership between the Mayor’s Office and CN Railway to celebrate and honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the community. Councillors nominated residents from their wards as East Kent’s John Wright and Morena McDonald attended the ceremony to present the Ridgetown area recipients with their plaques.

“CN Railway is pleased to support the Community Recognition Awards and to celebrate the volunteers whose dedication and generosity make a meaningful difference in our community,” said Daniel Salvatore, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Incident Management & Safety, Stakeholder Relations. “It’s an honour to celebrate those who give their time and energy to support others and inspire positive change.”

Amanda Brown was born in Guatemala City in 1995 and adopted by Barb and Gord Brown in 1997, and has a younger brother, Nicholas.

Although she is developmentally delayed, Amanda has a heart of gold, which she shares through the strong skills she has refined on the loom to create teddy bears.

Amanda has donated thousands of handmade winter hats and teddy bears to Ukraine and to local charities throughout Chatham-Kent.

Coincidentally, Amanda made teddy bears for the 19 recipients at the 2025 Community Recognition Awards – at Mayor Canniff’s request.

The Mayor also commissioned Amanda to make “Mayor” bears for the visiting dignitaries when Chatham-Kent hosted the Ontario’s Big City Mayors caucus in Dealtown in 2024.

Amanda is active with Community Living and the Ridgetown Aktion Club, volunteering at events such as Easter Egg Hunts and Teddy Bear Picnics.

She also volunteers with the FreeHelpCK Free Food Pantry every week, helping to stock the outdoor cupboard at Br. 243 Legion, which supports residents facing food insecurity.

Amanda contributes to the East Kent Celebrates group, assisting with youth dances and summer concerts.

And she welcomes everyone into the Ridgetown Independent News office with a big smile as they walk through the door.

Paul Brown – no relation to Amanda and her adopted family – also has ties to the Ridgetown Independent News, as he has submitted articles on guest speakers at Rotary Club functions and concerts at the Mary Webb Centre for more than a decade.

Brown spent 30 years teaching in Sioux Lookout, Northwestern Ontario, until retiring in Ridgetown in 2003.

He joined the Rotary Club and has been an active and dedicated member, serving on the Board of Directors for many years.

Paul has served on the marketing committee of the Mary Webb Centre since 2013, assisting with concerts and writing reviews since 2015.

He has also been a member of the Retired Teachers of Ontario since 2005, holding down several executive roles, including secretary, vice-president, and two separate two-year terms as president.

Brown also represented his district at the provincial RTO semi-annual forum for over 15 years.

Brown has also contributed his skills and leadership to several other community organizations.

Sara Crombez and Amy Klinkhamer moved to Ridgetown in the summer of 2023 and quickly became active contributors to the community they proudly call home.

Crombez and Klinkhamer immersed themselves in local organizations, including the Horticultural Society, Br. 243 Legion, and the Adult Activity Centre.

Their involvement with the Adult Activity Centre has grown steadily as Klinkhamer works as an employee supporting daily programs and services. At the same time, Sara serves on the board, focusing on marketing and communications.

Crombez joined the Ridgetown 150th Committee, collaborating with community groups to create a coordinated calendar of celebratory events and leading a community video project for Canada’s Hometown Takeover.

Through their volunteerism and leadership, they help strengthen connections and foster community pride.

Beyond their community work, Klinkhamer enjoys gardening, while Crombez has become an avid birder. They also love spending time in Rondeau Provincial Park and Erieau, often relaxing with the scenic views and local hospitality.

Sandra Kearney began volunteering as a Ridgetown Rotarian in 1999 and later served as chair of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program for 15 years.

The RYLA is an international, three-day leadership development program focused on building leadership skills in youth.

In recognition of her long-standing commitment and volunteer excellence, Kearney received a Paul Harris Fellowship award.

Kearney joined the Chatham-Kent Hospice Board in 2016, where she served as a Foundation member for six years and currently sits on the Hospice Legacy Board.

She continues to volunteer at New To You in Ridgetown, a charitable consignment store supporting local community needs.

Kearney has served on the board of the Mary Webb Cultural and Community Centre since 2016 and is completing her second term as chair.

Kearney considers it a privilege to serve her community in meaningful volunteer roles.

The 2026 Community Recognition Award recipients are Derwyn and Kathy Armstrong of Chatham, Sheila Bateman of Chatham, James Benoit of Chatham, Randi Bokor Caron of Shrewsbury, Steve Brent of Chatham, Amanda Brown of Ridgetown, Paul Brown of Ridgetown, Doug Buchan of Wallaceburg, Sara Crombez and Amy Klinkhamer of Ridgetown, Jim and Jean Earley of Chatham, Joe and Jaclyn Faubert of Tilbury, Jim Griffin of Dresden, Audrey Hind of Wallaceburg, Gary Jenkins of Mitchell’s Bay, Sandra Kearney of Howard Township, Brenda LaMarsh of Blenheim, John Lawrence of Chatham, Frank G. Letourneau of Dover Township, Jim Loyer of Chatham, Len Maynard of Chatham, Aline Middleton of Chatham, Judy Shea of Chatham, George Sims of Chatham, James Snyder of Chatham (posthumously), Dana Taylor of Wheatley, Peter and Annie Timmermans of Blenheim, Rob Vandersluis of Blenheim, Sandra and John Van Raay of Chatham, Christal and Darren Wills of Dresden, Patricia Wright of Chatham and Russell Wright of Chatham.