The Blair family behind the Vergers Blair Orchards in Franklin have been named as the first recipients of The Gleaner’s Big Heart Award.
Jeff and Cynthia Blair were on hand to receive the honour, which was presented during The Gleaner’s fundraiser Valentine’s Day dance at the LBA Agri-Culture Centre in Ormstown on February 14.
The award was launched by the team at The Gleaner to recognize an individual or group in the Chateauguay Valley whose actions reflect commitment, service, and community spirit. A call for nominations was issued in the newspaper, and the community was quick to respond with numerous exceptional suggestions.
The winning nomination was submitted by nearby neighbour Mary Stevenson of Verger Stevenson Orchard. “What makes Mary’s nomination particularly special is that she nominated another apple-growing family in the Valley,” said Lynn McWhinnie, the chair of the board of directors of the Chateauguay Valley Community Information Services which publishes The Gleaner.
“The Blairs have shown time and again what it means to ‘be there’ for our community,” continued McWhinnie, noting Stevenson had nominated the family for their work preparing and delivering a free Christmas dinner to around 100 seniors across the region.
The Christmas dinner blitz started during the pandemic. The family began delivering large pots of homemade soup to seniors when isolation was at its worst. When things finally reopened, the Blairs didn’t stop their food deliveries to seniors — instead, they expanded.
And their community involvement doesn’t end there. For decades, the Blair family has supported Franklin Elementary School, preparing and providing food for children during special school events. They also welcome staff and students onto their land and have told the school to think of their orchards, forest, and maple bush as an extension of the schoolyard — giving students a space to learn outdoors and connect with nature.
“Franklin Elementary School is a better place because of the Blair family,” said Principal Melanie Robidoux. For 60 years, three generations of the Blair family helped care for the school building itself. And today, Michelle Blair continues that connection as a teacher and coach at the school.
The inscription on the award, which was handcrafted by Howick’s Studio Tolhurst, reads: To Vergers Blair Orchards: You lead with heart — and our community is grateful.