Roberta Bondar named honorary community ambassador

Dr. Roberta Bondar was named the honorary community ambassador for 2012 during a media conference and reception at City Hall today.

As the City celebrates 100 years of incorporation in 2012, the year also marks the 20th anniversary of Bondar’s space flight.

Bondar will be honoured from January 23- 26, 2012 with the week being declared ‘Roberta Bondar Days’ in Sault Ste. Marie.

“Certainly being an ambassador of the Sault is something I’ve always tried to be everywhere I go,” Bondar said. “Now, to be an ambassador within the community is important to promote the vision and values of the community to the younger generation. I can talk to them about what it’s meant to me and how it’s helped me with my future and the things that I’ve done.

Mayor Debbie Amaroso will make the official declaration of the week when it opens on January 23.

Among the plans when Bondar makes the trip from Toronto in January of 2012, is an opportunity for Bondar to address roughly 7,200 school students between Grades 6 and 12 at the White Pines auditorium as well as by live video streaming.

Also planned is a fundraising event for the educational programs of the Roberta Bondar Foundation.

A live auction will take place during the event with some of Bondar’s photography as well as some items from her space training will be auctioned off.

Other events will be planned for the week as well as it draws closer.