The Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce Community Spirit Award is all about recognizing local organizations and business members that truly exemplify community spirit.
It is our privilege on behalf of Bakery Tilly Trillium LLP to present the 2021 award to Abe Harms, formerly of Mennonite Community Services.
Mennonite Community Services(MCS), Program Director Anna Bergen sent us the following details in recognition of Abe’s background.
“He has a long history of connecting with the different Mennonite Church leaders and business leaders. This helped him in his role here. He was hired to take the existing MCC programs and create an independent registered charity. He did that even though it took much longer than anyone expected. His leadership and passion for the Mennonite people has had a tremendous impact on MCS. He was instrumental in getting the radio set up here at MCS along with developing the employment services partnership with Aylmer Community Services. He also built community and agency connections quickly which built trust and strengthened relationships. He advocated not only for the Mennonites and other newcomers but also advocated for community agencies to the Mennonite populations.
He is a lifelong learner, a visionary leader, and a fountain of information on a very wide range of topics. His hobby is woodworking. I know he creates beautiful bowls and some home décor items often using leftover wood scraps. One year all staff at MCS received a small desk clock for their birthdays from him. I remember a few were shaped like a baseball. He is also a very proud father and grandfather.”
Congratulations to Abe Harms and thank you for your dedication! Abe retired from MCS in August 2020 but his work in our community continues and for that we are grateful.
In recognition of the dedication Abe has shown to improving our community, the Aylmer office of Baker Tilly Trillium LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants will make a donation on his behalf to a registered charity of his choice.
To read more about Abe’s history, you can find his musings here: https://www.mcson.org/2021/musings-from-the-outgoing-ed/?fbclid=IwAR1CpfhHnW05GqZE8qP1vpHTAHZWkDTsxQ_IQjgkiAkMje_FaU-UbH5i_RE
Submitted by the Aylmer & Area Chamber of Commerce