Local Heroes 2021
Our 14th annual salute to local people who make a difference – we’re grateful to each of them for making 2021 a whole lot brighter for so many.
Every day across these hills, countless leaders step up to help build the kind of community, and world, we all want to live in. They are as diverse as the passions that drive them – from Olympic stars to friendly voices on the phone, from a family that remembers, to angels both urban and natural. Not only do they bring their time and talents to the table, they also bring their devotion and resilience.
Each year In The Hills is proud to feature a few of these extraordinary citizens, the foundation upon which our community is built.
- Nature Booster: Janice McClelland
- Ice Angel: Ken Hunt
- Yes, She Can: Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan
- Inspired by Matthew: Valerie and Shannon McGrady
- Stand Tall: Jim Waddington
- Phone Friends: TeleCheck Volunteers

Janice McClelland. Photo by Pete Paterson.
Related Stories

Nature Booster: Janice McClelland
Nov 29, 2021 | | Local HeroesHow the Erin resident transformed a passion for the outdoors into many fruitful years of volunteering for the Bruce Trail Conservancy.

Ice Angel: Ken Hunt
Nov 29, 2021 | | Local HeroesThanks to this community builder, the Palgrave Mill Pond is a place where the village meets in winter to skate, play shinny and connect.

Yes, She Can: Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan
Nov 29, 2021 | | Local HeroesTwo pivotal players in Canada’s first Olympic gold in women’s soccer in Tokyo call Caledon East and Shelburne home.

Inspired by Matthew: Valerie and Shannon McGrady
Nov 29, 2021 | | Local HeroesThe mother-daughter duo advocated for Orangeville’s new Bravery Park – which honours all military personnel, including their late son and brother.

Stand Tall: Jim Waddington
Nov 29, 2021 | | Local HeroesMeet one of the driving forces behind Orangeville’s annual Celebrate Your Awesome event, a salute to pride and diversity in Dufferin County.

Phone Friends: TeleCheck Volunteers
Nov 29, 2021 | | Local HeroesWe salute three longtime volunteers with TeleCheck, a free telephone check-in service for people older than 55 who are living in their own homes.