Kenny Bridge has been named 2013's Citizen of the Year.
The annual honour is awarded by the Cranbrook and District Chamber of Commerce.
Bridge is best known in the community for his successful business, Bridge Interiors. However, it was his contribution to local charity events that earned Bridge the Citizen of the Year honour.
"For many years, Kenny has made an indelible mark on this community," said outgoing Chamber president Mike Adams.
Bridge has helped with numerous local fundraisers over the years, such as the Children’s Christmas Party, the Cranbrook Dodge Charity Golf Tournament, the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life, the Walk for M.S., the Telus Walk to Cure Diabetes, the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser for the Cranbrook Women’s Resource Centre, and a recent celebrity boxing event which raised more than $22,000.
“Ken’s involvement has supported nearly every charity event in this community,” said Adams, “and that means that he has assisted and touched people from all walks of life, people he doesn’t even know.”
Countless letters of support were given to the Chamber to back up Bridge’s worthiness for the honour.
“Kenny, while not always quietly, works in the background of so many events for our community and we would like to add our support in nominating him for Cranbrook’s Citizen of the Year,” wrote Liz Desrosiers and Kent Gawletz of the Walk to Cure Diabetes.
“Whenever I approach Kenny for donations or help with a project he is always on board. We have never been turned away. He is always enthusiastic and helps promote whichever event we are hosting. His donations are always significant,” said Brenna Baker, East Kootenay SPCA.
Nominators Derek Kortschaga, B-104 Total Country, and Steve Mercandelli, Cranbrook Dodge, described Bridge as displaying generosity, leadership and compassion.
“Kenny continues to give even when times are tough. It’s easy to be generous when your coffers are overflowing. It takes a true, honest human being to give when times are tough.”
Bridge will be officially recognized during the Chamber’s Citizen of the Year dinner on Friday, Jan. 24.