April 19, 2007

2007 Distinguished Service Award

Morris Haugg was one of a select group that had the vision to establish the Cumberland Health Care Foundation (formerly the Highland View Regional Hospital Foundation). The establishment of this Foundation served as a catalyst for the largest and most successful fundraising campaign to ever occur in Cumberland County. The Foundation raised in excess of $7.5 million for the construction of the new regional facility – The Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre.

Morris has served on the Board of Directors since the Foundation’s inception, and has filled most of the Board, Executive, and Committee positions. His wisdom, guidance and leadership have helped the Foundation to grow and continue to fulfill its mission. He is a big supporter of the bursary programme that promises to help train and encourage the return of many of our local youth to work in our health care system here in Cumberland. He has encouraged the financial support of a volunteer coordinator. It is his vision that we work toward the greatest possible coordination and cooperation among Health Care Foundations in Cumberland County to provide the greatest benefit to all. Due, in large part, to the efforts of Morris the beautiful “Holly Spicer Healing Garden” provides a serene setting for patients, their families and friends. The fact that Morris recognized the importance of this garden in assisting the overall healing of many patients is a tribute to his insight and forward thinking.

During his time with the Foundation, Morris has been successful as a leadership gift solicitor, special event recruiter, policy sounding board and mentor to other Board members. He has both expressed and vigorously pursued his vision for the future of the Foundation, which will provide for additional successes as the organization continues to grow and evolve. One of the beauties of Morris is that the Foundation got both his brain and his brawn because; whether it was moving tables and chairs at a Foundation event or providing legal advice on a difficult issue, Morris could always be depended on to do the heavy lifting.

Through his personal nature and legal acumen, Morris personifies the qualities of a leader. He has always been more interested in making the “right” decision as opposed to the most popular one. As a result he has been like a rudder for the Foundation, keeping it on a good and successful course. It is all the more remarkable that Morris has committed so much time and energy to the Foundation over the years considering his contributions to many other community organizations, his diverse interests, and active lifestyle. Whether it be Toast Masters, Chamber of Commerce Amherst Rotary Club, Tidnish Cross Roads Community Association, the Amherst YMCA, the Canadian Cancer Society, Cumberland Wilderness Society, Athol Coop, politics (where few have been able to determine if he is a Liberal or Conservative), canoeing down a wild river and the list goes on, Morris is like a general who is leading the charge. The Cumberland Health Care Foundation is fortunate to have had such a general among its ranks.

To provide a service for others is of value to those who are in some way touched by it. It is something good citizens should strive to do. However, here tonight, we are recognizing “distinguished service”. It can only be delivered by someone with has energy, determination and ability, but is also willing to dedicate the time to make it all happen. Such a person is Morris Haugg who has, without fail, distinguished himself to the benefit of us all.