Mary Christie, Chair of the Senior Link Foundation, has been unanimously selected to be the 2007 Beach Citizen of the Year. Mary joins a list of local luminaries that include Gene Domagala, Glenn Cochrane, Ted Randall, Marie Perrotta, Arie Nerman and David Breech. The selection panel felt that Mary more than fulfilled the major criteria of the award – a person who has made a consistent, sustained and tangible contribution to the betterment of the Beach Community over time and has been an inspiration to others.

One of the judges for the award, Sheila Blinoff, said that Mary typifies the best attributes of a volunteer. “She is quiet, competent, level-headed and dedicated. She has a long history of volunteerism in the community. Any organization would be lucky to get her help."

Mary’s volunteer efforts span more than 20 years and include serving as the chair of Community Centre 55 and the parent council at Adam Beck, being a longterm member of the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Council and being a member of the Board of Peacebuilders. She has been a long time canvasser for the Salvation Army and a convener for the Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day. Mary was asked to serve on the Toronto East General Hospital Board of Directors in 2004 in recognition of her understanding of community support services.

In 2004 she was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for Community Service.

But perhaps, her greatest contribution has been to what is now known as Neighbourhood Link Support Services (formally Senior/Neighbourhood Link).

Executive Director Mary McGowan wrote in Christie’s nomination letter: “Mary has worked with Neighbourhood Link Support Services since 1990. Her 17 years of service has seen the agency evolve from a small group of staff and volunteers providing services to seniors, to a multiservice agency working with seniors, youth, newcomers, the unemployed, and the homeless to support people to live independently and with dignity.

“Our growth is, in large part, due to Mary's vision and commitment to the principle that people need practical assistance to be able to make the choices necessary for independent living. She is an untiring advocate for community supports in social and health services as an alternative to institutionalization and marginalization."

Mary’s husband Paul, who is the former Metro Councillor for this area, said “I think I am almost more pleased than Mary...When we first got together, we were both provincial civil servants, but I already knew I would probably be working in the limelight...Mary does her thing with very little public recognition."

Mary said she is delighted and honoured with the award, but the thing that keeps her volunteering? “It’s the people you get to know,” said Mary.

The ceremony will take place on Sept. 29 at the Community Millennium Gardens at Coxwell and Eastern Avenues. All are welcome.