A three-time Olympic medalist, a teenage accessibility advocate, and a man who has spent more than three decades with the London food bank are among 11 people being honoured by London’s mayor.
Ed Holder released his 2022 Mayor’s New Year’s Honour List on Saturday. The annual list recognizes significant contributions to the city in a variety of different categories.
“At a time in which we could all do with a little inspiration, along with examples of resilience, dedication, and perseverance, one need look no further than the Londoners recognized as part of this list,” Holder said in a statement. “Each of them have bettered our community, while serving as brilliant role models during a very trying year. They remind all Londoners of what can be achieved when we dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of excellence with equal parts dignity, and grace. It is my sincere honour to celebrate these individuals by virtue of this recognition.”
London-native Maggie Mac Neil was recognized for her contribution to sport. The 21-year-old captured the heart of the nation during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when she nabbed Canada's first gold medal of the games in the 100-metre butterfly event. Her 55.59-seconds swim was the third-fastest time ever recorded in the sport at the Olympics. Mac Neil went on to claim two other medals at the July games – silver in the 4×100-metre freestyle relay and bronze in the 4x100m medley relay. She was named the Best Female Athlete of Tokyo 2020 by the Association of National Olympic Committees in October and earlier this month took gold and broke a world record in the women’s 50-metre backstroke at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi.
Hayley Gardiner was named in the category of accessibility. The London teen was born without part of her right hand and has spent years as a role model for other amputees. Gardiner has been a War Amps safety ambassador since she was six. She is also a member of the War Amps Child Amputee Program (CHAMP). The 16-year-old offers advice, shares her experiences, and provides a positive approach to challenges to other amputees from across the province as part of CHAMP. In order to help educate the public about amputees, Gardiner has hosted displays and given presentations throughout the community.
Mike Evans was one of four people named this year as a "distinguished Londoner." Evans was instrumental in the success of the London Food Bank during its early years of operation. He has been with the organization for more than three decades, serving in numerous financial capacities. “I’m not sure we could have ever done it without him," Food Bank Co-Executive Directors Jane Roy and Glen Pearson said of Evans. He co-founded the Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan organization in 1999. Since then the organization has built schools, invested in agriculture, women’s programs, and democratic reform in the country.
Mario Circelli, Mandi Fields, and Joyce E. Larsh were also recognized in the distinguished Londoner category this year. Circelli for his tireless support of the music industry in the city. He is the man behind the not-for profit “ForestCity London Music Awards”, London Music Hall of Fame, and the Ken Palmer bursary which offers financial support to area high school students studying music in post-secondary school.
Fields has taken an active role in many charitable campaigns including the Business Cares Food Drive, Fields to Forks, The London Food Bank, SeeMe and the Atlohsa Peace Awards. Fields also created Tampon Tuesday, a monthly networking event that collects donations of menstrual hygiene products for those in need.
Larsh has been an integral part of London's east-end community for decades. During that time she has served as the operator of a childcare service, an organizer of seniors' activities, and as a housing advocate. She is also a member of the Argyle Community Association and has helped to organize Argyle Community Association, which she has led as the chairperson since 2019. She has helped organize movie in the park nights and a seniors' bus trip tour of Christmas light displays.
Other 2022 honourees include:
Patricia Hoffer for her contribution in the arts. Hoffer, who immigrated to London from Trinidad more than 20 years ago, has impacted multiple arts organizations throughout the local arts sector as she sponsors, attends, and supports multiple activities and events. She has served on Fanshawe College Board of Governors, London for All Leadership Table, Junior Achievement of London and District Board, the Forest City Film Festival board, the London Arts Council, and Hutton House.
Mary Anne Hodge is on the list in the environment category. Hodge, a retired high school teacher, is known throughout the city for her action on climate change. She helped fundraise and encourage green practices at Camp Kee-Mo-Kee and at St. Andrew's United Church. She also leads Climate Action London, a local initiative to address climate change concerns and supports sustainable housing designs and habitat protection downtown.
Dorothy Palmer is being recognized in the heritage category. She was the principal agent for the installation of the architectural facade remnants of the Marshall Tea Room in the Central Library and was instrumental in the erection of 400 historical signs on heritage properties.
Robert (Bob) Sexsmith is named for his efforts in housing. For nearly 60 years, Sexsmith has worked to improve co-operative housing, broader housing issues, environment, and poverty issues. He has been involved in the founding of multiple co-ops, including the 1992 conversion of a rundown apartment building on Marconi Boulevard that operates as a co-op to this day.
Kait Symonds is recognized in the category of safety and crime prevention. Symonds is a volunteer with Project Hope, an organization that works with London's homeless population, teenage mothers, low income families, and newcomers to Canada. As part of her volunteer work, Symonds hands out blankets and clothing and performers first aid. According to the city, she demonstrates courage, tenacity, the drive to do good and be a better human by helping others.
The annual Mayor's New Year's Honour List was created in 1976.