Chris Michie presented Jim McGee Award for Belgrave volunteerism

BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN

Chris Michie, a long-time member of the Belgrave Kinsmen Club, is this year’s Jim McGee Volunteer Award winner. The award is handed out annually by the Belgrave Community Centre Board.

 

Michie was honoured by the board at its annual general meeting, which was held last week at the centre. He was nominated by the Kinsmen Club itself for the work he did within the community over a number of years, both as a club member and beyond.
“[Michie] helped with many projects and was the go-to guy for the Kinsmen for many years. [He was] recently awarded a lifetime membership by Kin Canada for his many years of service to the community,” reads the nomination submitted by Kevin Scott on behalf of the club. Michie has since noted that he has recently taken a step back from the club.

 

“As an active member of the Belgrave Kinsmen for 27 years, Chris spent countless hours sharing his time and support for the development of [the] facilities and resources we enjoy today,” reads the presentation given on the night of the award ceremony. “Not only has Chris held executive positions, we know his time as the chair of the refurbishment committee for the Belgrave arena in 2010 was vital to that project. We are thankful for all your time and energy and look forward to sharing the park and recreation facilities that remain the heart of Belgrave for many more generations.”

 

The presentation went on to detail Michie’s role in local sports and his status as a “family man with strong connections to our great little community here in Belgrave,” with the presenter saying that McGee would certainly be honoured to have Michie win the award.

 

“Chris’ passion for minor sports and love of coaching is so parallel to Jim’s legacy. As a member of the Wingham Minor Hockey executive, Chris devoted countless winters and summers to coaching youth teams in both softball and hockey. His time managing the Lucknow Lancers Senior AA hockey team and as a director for the [Western Ontario Athletic Association] are just a few more reasons to celebrate Chris today,” the presentation continued.

 

Jim McGee of RR1, Belgrave passed away at the age of 60 on Sept. 1, 2018. Not long after his death, the Belgrave Community Centre Board established an award for volunteerism in his name, which has been handed out annually at the board’s annual general meeting ever since.