Citizen of the Year
In 1957, the first KW Citizen of the Year Award was presented to a businessman and one of the University of Waterloo principal founders Mr Ira Needles.
Identifying a resident from the Kitchener and Waterloo area to receive this esteemed honour was carried out by the Twin City Jaycees for another 49 years. The list of past recipients is located under the “History” tab of this section of our website.
In 2007 the Lions Club of Kitchener was asked to continue this tradition and the club received many nominations in their first year with Mr. Dennis Watson being chosen.
So we continue this gala event with the help of various sponsors and assistance from the community to recognize deserving citizens.
Nominations can be submitted by using the on-line form noted below or submitted in writing to the mailing address noted below, for the attention of the COY Committee. Any further supporting documentation to the on-line submission can also be forwarded by regular mail or email.
Banquet for the 2010 Citizen of the Year is May 05, 2011.
Tickets: $85
Time and Location: 6:00 pm at the Waterloo Motor Inn.
Further inquiries: Dr. Jack Bishop at 519-742-0405
or email: drjdbishop@hotmail.com
P.O. Box 1001 Station "C" Kitchener Ontario N2G 4E3
Phone: 519-745-1541/ Fax: 519-745-2758 / Email: lionsclubkitchener@rogers.com
Website: http://www.lionsclubofkitchener.com//
K-W Citizen of the Year 2009
ROSEMARY SMITH
Chief Executive Officer
The K-W Community Foundation
Biography
Born in the small city of Owen Sound, Rosemary Smith grew up with a spirit of community and a commitment to it. She first became a resident of Kitchener-Waterloo in 1970. She joined The Mutual Life of Canada (now Sun Life) in 1971 thus began a very successful thirty year career. Her career led her throughout Southern Ontario before she returned to Waterloo Region ten years later. As she tells it, "she missed the spirit of community found in K-W".
Upon her return, Rosemary decided to volunteer in an effort to give back to a community which welcomed and supported her.
By the time Rosemary joined The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation in 2001, she had created a track record of involvement some of which included:
Chair, The Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce (2006-2007)
Recipient of the YWCA's Woman of Distinction Award for Business (2000)
Chair, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce (1999-2000)
United Way Volunteer
Founder, Cambridge Women in Networking
Chair, K-W Women in Networking
Board, K-W YWCA
Steering Committee, Leadership Waterloo Region
Member, Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo
And, she has also belonged to the Boards of both The K-W as well as The Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundations.
Current Activities:
Steering Committee, Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network
Leadership Roundtable, Opportunities Waterloo Region
Rosemary says that "She has been apprenticing her entire life for her current job as Chief Executive Officer of The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation".
Rogers TV will broadcast the May 6th gala evening on the following dates: Saturday, May 8th at 12:00 pm, Monday, May 10th at 7:00 pm, Wednesday, May 12th at 1:00 pm and Sunday, May 16th at 12:30 pm.
K-W Citizen of the Year 2008
MAC VOISIN
- Chairman & Baron of Barbecuing -
Mac Voisin founded M&M Meat Shops in 1980 and it has become one of Canada’s most successful franchise operations, with more than 450 locations across the country.
Mr. Voisin has always possessed a keen entrepreneurial spirit and strong sense of social responsibility. Born and raised in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, Mr. Voisin completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Waterloo and then embarked on a successful career in real estate. However, it was his inability to find restaurant-quality meat in the supermarket that changed his life forever. Mac opened his first M&M Meat Shops in Kitchener and jokingly admits that his business strategy was simple: there was more repeat business in food than in home building.
Mac’s philosophy of ‘Act Big Even when You’re Small’ has driven the chain’s remarkable growth and its fundamental focus of giving back to the community while connecting with customers by offering outstanding, friendly and helpful service. Mr. Voison always finds time for the local Food Bank, Junior Achievement, and the St. Mary’s General Hospital Foundation. He also serves as the Honourary Chairperson for the Local Chapter of the CCFC. Mac actively supports local philanthropic projects, including The Canadian Veteran’s Memorial in Waterloo, Canada’s first multi-dimensional tribute to veterans; and Waterloo Region Mission Services, Charles Street Campus, Southern Ontario’s first addictions treatment centre focusing on youth.
K-W Citizen of the Year 2007
The 2007 Lions Club of Kitchener, Kitchener - Waterloo Citizen of the Year is Mr. Dennis Watson, Vice President & General Manager, CTV Southwestern Ontario
Some of Dennis Watson's contributions to our region include his work with Junior Achievement of the Waterloo Region Inc, Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, Centre in the Square, Skills Canada, The United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Conestoga College, Cambridge Memorial Hospital and the list continues.
Supporters
