As we approach the season of giving, the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) is delighted to invite nominations for the 2025 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 3 to November 24 and can be submitted quickly and easily via the online form.

The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies will announce the 2025 recipient on Giving Tuesday, December 2. The recipient will have the opportunity to direct $750 to a local CRA-registered charity/qualified donee of their choice.

In 2024, Laura Kennedy received the Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award, in recognition of her life-long dedication to community service, leading and supporting multiple groups, committees, and boards, including youth programs, Rails-to-Trails, Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce Turkey Drive, Sam Steele Days/Spirit of the Rockies, and Cranbrook Rotary.

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:

• Mike LeClair in 2023, 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;
• 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;
• Jim Nicol in 2021, recognizing his leadership, dedication, and many volunteer contributions to the Cranbrook Community Forest Society;
• Colin Campbell in 2020, posthumously awarded, in recognition of his significant community contributions through Rotary, the Masons, and various community projects;
• Jean-Ann Debreceni in 2018, for her many years of service with the East Kootenay Community/StellerVista Credit Union Board, Cranbrook Community Theatre, Cranbrook Garden Club, Key City Theatre, and Fort Steele Heritage Town;
• Donna Brady Fields in 2017, for her dedication to and advocacy for the United Way and their funding recipients, including poverty reduction, food security and many social issues that impact the community;
• Robert Williams in 2016, celebrating his many contributions to ʔaq̓am and the Ktunaxa Nation;
• Gord Johnston in 2015, recognizing his work with the Cranbrook Boys’ and Girls’ Club (now BGC Cranbrook) and Habitat for Humanity.

For more information, please contact Lynnette Wray, CFKR Executive Director, by phone (250-426-1119) or email ([email protected]).

Lead image: Left to right: Daryl Richardson, CFKR Board Member, and Laura Kennedy, 2024 Community Volunteer Award recipient. Photo submitted

Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies

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