Surrounded by his family, Maurice Rollins accepted the Belleville Chamber’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award Friday night. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
You have got to be willing to give up a lot of things and work hard if you want to succeed in the world of business, and if you can, always give back to your community says Maurice Rollins.
In his 90 years, the well-known entrepreneur, founder of Rollins Construction and Journey’s End hotels has gained a wealth of knowledge and Friday night he was honoured for his many contributions to the local economy, but above all, his philanthropy.
Rollins was awarded the Belleville Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual president’s gala at the Banquet Centre in Belleville.
A very humble Rollins thanked 2017 board president Derek Morgan and outgoing CEO Bill Saunders, and says it means a lot to him, calling it an honour to receive the award.
Looking back he said it was quite a thrill to build 140 hotels from Newfoundland to Calgary in a period of 15 years.
But his heart has always been in his hometown of Belleville and that’s where he said it’s been important for him to give back.
With local Canadian Mental Health Association Executive Director Sandie Sidsworth (L) and 2017 chamber board president Derek Morgan (R) by his side, Maruice Rollins (C) in presented with the Belleville Chamber’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual gala on February 10, 2017. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
The Chamber’s incoming 2017 board president Derek Morgan praised Rollins for his many contributions to the community including the proceeds from his biography to the local Canadian Mental Health Association.
The total donation from “The Remarkable Journey of Maurice Rollins” written by Orland French is around $40,000.
CMHA Executive Director Sandie Sidsworth was also in attendance to congratulate and thank Rollins for his continued support that led to the opening of the Maurice Rollins Centre for Hope and the ability to expand its programs for men, such as depression counselling and anger management.
