The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

g'mst several decades, from supporting lo- - cal charity events to simple acts of kindness like delivering meals to neighbours. g In receiving the Lifetime Achievement award, '- Albin Curtis spoke of losing her first husband _two decades ago â€" a tragedy that she said é ultimately led to a blessing of tremendous support from the community. "Through.th help i learned the true mean- ing of love,” she said, going on to quote Mother Teresa's famous words, "Love has to be put into action, and that action is service." 'This lesson of service inspired me to act by 0 giving back to the people of Milton,” she said. Albin Curtis thanked her family, husband _I Mark Curtis and the community for teaching 5 her that 'love means you never have to walk § Similar stories of community support were 5' shared by other award recipients, like Mar- fi garet Sallba, who earned the title of Joyce 5 Hagevik Volunteer ofthe Year. 3-, Sallba champions fundraising for the Milton E District Hospital Foundation through her an- YourboaleltonEdibleArrangemntsfanfilyishoppytoserveyou! Surprise Mom! wummmmm mmmamum.w. MW.NFMWL000. mmmmmnw nan-masca- LLC.O2015 ant-mu .me. ARRANGEMENTS NEW Mother’s Day : Signature Berry Box“ Edna l c‘ Love means you naerhwe towalk atone, AlbirfCum's tells audience CALL WNW orvisitourstomatDorrdengPhu 68 - 575 Ontario St. S. Milton nual Black and White Pajama party, which has brought in almost $37,000 in three years. But she was quick to share the limelight with others. "This award doesn't belong to me alone. It belongs to all of the people who support me,” she said, primarily crediting the Milton Area Female Entrepreneur (MAFE) network- ing group of more than 1,400 women for her success. ‘Be'cause of this group I'm able to do what I do to the extent that I do." She encouraged others to get involved in making the community a better place. ‘Re- member, it’s in you to give, and you’ll be amazed at what you get back." One could say fellow MAFE member and local photographer Laurie Goodman has already heeded Saliba's advice, giving back to the community through her Life Message project. which allows women to share their words of inspiration with others. She has taken countless empowering images of women holding a small black chalkboard with their life message written on it â€" pho- '1 «W h r tos that she ended up compiling into a book. The initiative, which led to Goodman’s own life message of “follow the goose bumps,” was a key factor in her earning the Citizen of the Year award. 'I'd like to thank everyonoiergiving me the ultimate goose' bumps moment." she said. 'I will look at this award as a call to action; a call to be more, a call to do more." The emotional moment of the evening came from momstown Milton owner Sam Kassam- Macfie, who was overwhelmed to be named Milton's Entrepreneur of the Year. In a choked up voice, she spoke of the long and sometimes difficult journey to success she has been on with her business, which of- fers educational programming for children and support for mothers. It's a challenge; you feel alone, you feel iso- lated,” she said. "But being in the Milton community is awe- some. l'm not alone. I have so much support in this community." Kassam-Macfie also shared her advice for oth- er aspiring entrepreneurs. 'lt's not going to be easy, but it is going to be worth it." Lori-Ann McLeod of Oxygen Pilates and Fit- ness was also nominated. Re/Max sales representative and MAFE group founder Sandy Hatzis was named Business moansmwimmjummmmmewmn,mmmamw1wmamm If you need a Mortgage, you can try and fit into the neat little boxes at the bank, or you can come to us first. )DB ~éaflstréetio fit Lands'ggpe p We don't have boxes, we have solufions. And that's why almost 50 per cont of first-time home buyers (4896') now use a brokot to arrange their mortgage, up from 35 per cent five years ago! Call today For out-of‘theâ€"box thinking. media all H‘éfi Person of the Year. Hatzis was unable to attend the awards gala, but spoke in a pre-recorded video message about how much she enjoys working with all different kinds of homebuy- ers. 'l genuinely love my job." Dr. Garnet Maley of the Primecare Family ‘ Health Team and intrigue Media part owneri Fred Scheuer were also nominated. q Claiming the title of Business of the Year (991 employees or less) was RDC Networks, a com- puter network l'l’ support service headed up by Ward 1 Councillor Robert Duvall and his wife. Carol Thomson-Duvall. ‘lt's a great honour. We're thankful for all the people who‘ve made us successful.“ Duvall said. "We all give back as companies. l'm very glad to give back and make sure the commu nity is looked after." C.F. Crozier and Associates and Stevens Re source Group were also nominated. The Chamber also recognized Del Ridg : Homes for constructing a net zero energyi building in Milton by bestowing the Civic Im- provement of the Year award on the company "The reward for us is to know that the tech nology and science that's contained in th building is unparalleled in Canada,” said Da-, vid de Sylva, who co-owns the company with‘ George Le Donne. “You should know that and be proud of it.”