Bradley Morton wins first Spirit of Canyon Lake Award

BY Dawn Rankins

Bradley Morton received the inaugural Jordan Ehrenkranz Spirit of Canyon Lake Award last week at the State of the City event. The service award is given in honor of the late city council member who died earlier this year during his term in office.

Bradley received the award during a presentation by City of Canyon Lake Mayor Kasey Castillo.

“I am honored to receive this award,” Bradley said. “To me, this award needed to be something that the community was made aware of, not because I received it, but because of the person it was named after and the meaning that goes with the name attached to the award itself.”

Bradley and Jonda Morton pose with the Jordan Ehrankranz Spirit of Canyon Lake Award after the State of the City event last week. Bradley received the service award from Mayor Kasey Castillo.Photo provided by Bradley Morton

The city said the award represents what Jordan did for the community of Canyon Lake. He lived his life in service to others as he served 12 years on the Canyon Lake City Council as well as five years on the Canyon Lake POA Board of Directors. He lived in Canyon Lake for 25 years.

Kasey said that Bradley and his wife Jonda have shown their dedication to Canyon Lake since moving into the community just three years ago. She said the award goes to someone who is dedicated to improving the lives of others, not only within the community, but overall.

Bradley received the award because Kasey said he wants to work towards all that is good within the community and he is passionate about his city.

In three short years, the Mortons have established the Canyon Lake Newbies and Social Club, which has over 1,000 members and has already put on 17 events. The club was organized to allow new members of the community to mingle with established residents and made to feel included and welcome.

The Canyon Lake Golf Fanatics and Travel Club, which has almost 400 members and has had five golf events, is another club the Mortons have recently created. The purpose of the club is to teach golf and then travel to other locations to play the game and establish memories.

A purpose of the clubs is philanthropic as well.

The Newbies Club raised over $11,000 for Johnny Herrera, Sr.’s cancer medical bills at one comedy night fundraiser.

Over $4,000 was raised at another event for the Canyon Lake Junior Women’s Club’s philanthropy and scholarship initiatives.

The Mortons organized the donation and assembly of care packages for US military troops at two annual fall picnics, the second event alone creating over 125 care packages.

Bradley works closely with local businesses to promote Canyon Lake “shop local” business support. He was a 2021 co-sponsor of a Letters to Santa Toy Drive for disadvantaged children.

The Newbies Club Fall Picnic incorporates the now infamous “Great Canyon Lake Turkey Hunt,” which has children using Nerf guns to tag the adult men running the park dressed in turkey outfits.

Bradley said he’s honored to have been chosen for this award and he and his wife are excited to be able to raise their family in Canyon Lake. Raising a family was part of Bradley’s remarks when given the award at the State of the City program as he announced his wife Jonda is expecting and they have a baby on the way.