Cornwall has been chosen as the 2011 Eastern Canadian Community of the Year by a longtime Canadian greeting service.
Welcome Wagon, which provides services for families new to Canadian communities and others expecting children, made the announcement via the city’s economic development department Wednesday.
"This is great news for Cornwall," said Acting Mayor Bernadette Clement. "Our city has long been known as a friendly and welcoming place, and this award is further proof of that."
To be eligible for the award, a community must have Welcome Wagon's three basic programs in place - visits to families who move, new or expecting parents, and couples planning a wedding. Participation by the business community and civic involvement in the program is also considered a bonus.
As the local representative for Welcome Wagon, Tammy Head has helped celebrate the special occasions in the lives of hundreds of our community members over the past few years.
Those efforts, supported by numerous businesses and organizations like the Cornwall and Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Cornwall, resulted in the city being formally named the 2011 Community of the Year for Eastern Canada in the 35,000 - 60,000 population category.
"It's rewarding to provide these resources to our community members and let them know that there are people who can help them and answer any questions they may have," said Head.
Cornwall's Welcome Wagon program includes visits to new families and new parents as well as new business owners and executives. On average, Head estimates Welcome Wagon conducts 45 visits per month. In addition to the visits, Welcome Wagon organizes bridal shows twice a year and a baby shower event each year, for expecting mothers.
