As we approach the season of giving, the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) is delighted to invite nominations for the 2024 Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award.
This award recognizes an unsung hero who volunteers their time and energy in a quiet, dedicated, and selfless manner, making a positive impact in Cranbrook and the surrounding area. Preference will be given to nominees who have not previously received a community/volunteerism award from another organization.
Nominations are open from November 5th to November 25th and can be submitted quickly and easily via this online form: https://forms.gle/iiGxrueqvDPU7KxPA.
The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies will announce the 2024 recipient on Giving Tuesday, December 3rd. The recipient will have the opportunity to direct $750.00 to a local CRA-registered charity/qualified donee of their choice.
In 2023, Mike LeClair received the Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award, in recognition of his dedicated volunteerism to establish and lead the Therapeutic Paws of Canada chapter in Cranbrook, which offers free therapy pet visits throughout the community.
CFKR is honoured to steward the Knights of Pythias endowment fund, which includes the direction to recognize a community volunteer on an annual basis, including a donation to the recipient’s charity of choice. Previous award winners of the formerly named “Sustainable Community Builder Award” include:
• Gord Johnston in 2015, recognizing his work with the Cranbrook Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity;
• Robert Williams in 2016, celebrating his many contributions to ʔaq̓am and the Ktunaxa Nation;
• Jean-Ann Debreceni in 2018, for her many years of service with the East Kootenay Community Credit Union Board, Cranbrook Community Theatre, Cranbrook Garden Club, Key City Theatre, and Fort Steele Heritage Town;
• Colin Campbell in 2020, posthumously awarded, in recognition of his significant community contributions through Rotary, the Masons, and various community projects;
• Jim Nicol in 2021, recognizing his leadership, dedication, and many volunteer contributions to the Cranbrook Community Forest Society;
• Nancy Banks in 2022 for her over 25 years of volunteer service to the Christmas Wrap table in the Tamarack Centre Mall, which provides a valuable community service and raises significant funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.
For more information, please contact Lynnette Wray, CFKR Executive Director, by phone (250-426-1119) or email (Lynnette.Wray@CFKRockies.ca).
