Members of the community gathered at a reception in Morden Sunday to honour the recipient of the Morden Area Foundation's 2018 Citizen of Distinction Award.

Sue Nelson was recognized for her many years of dedicated service to the community. "It's totally overwhelming. I am hugely honoured to be thought of and to be recognized," said Nelson.

Sue presents the $1,000 cheque she received from MAF to Christina and Duane Falk of Habitat for Humanity Morden/Winkler Chapter.Along with her husband Ted with their two young daughters Allison and Heather, Sue moved to Morden 30 some years ago. Sue and Ted purchased the Morden Pharmacy, which later became Shoppers Drug Mart, where Sue was the lead pharmacist. Sue very quickly became involved in the community.

Nelson says she highly encourages others to get involved and says to her, it's been well worth it. "You will meet great people, people that may become lifelong friends that you wouldn't normally meet."

Nelson's community involvement includes more than 2 decades as a girl guide leader, leading even after her own daughters had aged out of the program. She has organized fundraisers through the St. Paul's United Church for organizations like Genesis House, the Boundary Trails chaplaincy program and local school breakfast programs. She's also served on the Many Hands Community Resource Centre board and volunteers with the Morden Thrift Store.

During her tenure on the South Central Cancer Resource board, she was instrumental in establishing the popular fashion show fundraiser.

Currently, Nelson is also part of the Habitat for Humanity Morden/Winkler chapter. The board hopes a new home will be built in both Morden and Winkler in the near future.

"Volunteering will get you to stretch yourself and experience different things...It strengthens a community, you may do things you think you can't do, but it will happen, and it's amazing when it does," said Nelson.

During Sunday's reception, the Morden Area Foundation presented Nelson with cheque for $1,000, which she then gave to the Habitat for Humanity Morden/Winkler chapter.