Johnson named local MS Society’s ‘Mother of the Year’

The local Multiple Sclerosis Society kicked off its annual Carnation Campaign on Monday with a flag-raising ceremony at the Civic Centre and the naming of Lisa Johnson as “Mother of the Year.”
“I’m honoured,” said Johnson, who was presented with a bouquet of carnations by Diana Miller, chair of the local MS Society committee.
Since being diagnosed with MS about a year ago, Johnson has impressed many with her perseverance in the face of life’s difficulties.
“Being a mom and battling this–we were impressed with her positive attitude towards life,” noted Miller. “It’s been a tough year for her. We should look at her as an inspiration for us all.”
But Johnson insisted she shouldn’t get all the credit, though.
“I wouldn’t have made it this far without my mom,” she remarked. “And my son, who’s 10, he’s really wonderful.”
“She is a great mom. Even in her bad times, she’s been there for her son,” Johnson’s mother, Patty, said.
“And she’s a great daughter, too,” she beamed.
Meanwhile, Miller has been working hard to get together carnation orders for Friday–just in time for Mother’s Day.
She said more than 350 bouquets have been ordered through the campaign, including a number of late orders she was willing to accept last week well past the April 23 deadline.
“Everyone is telling me that number’s quite good for a first year doing it but we are looking to increase that number in the future,” she noted. “For our first time, I think we did quite well.
“We’re delighted with the response this year, particularly with the publicity we’ve gotten for the campaign,” she added.
This is the first time in many years the MS Society has held the carnation sale in Fort Frances.
And Miller was optimistic the campaign could be even better next year, saying she was sure she would organize it all again.
Those who did not pre-order carnations this year can still pick some up at the Clover Valley Farmers’ Market here this Saturday.
Bouquets cost $7 each, with three to four stems of mini-carnations per bouquet. Each stem should have a dozen or more flowers.