Lions Club Of Kitchener

Citizen of the Year

In 1957, the first KW Citizen of the Year Award was presented 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 submit by the use of the on-line form noted below or submitted in writing to the mailing address shown 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 2009 Citizen of the Year is May 06, 2010.

Further inquiries to: 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: www.lionsclubofkitchener.com

K-W Citizen of the Year 2009

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. A concept born at a backyard barbecue, today M&M Meat Shops is Canada’s leading retailer of specialty frozen foods and is recognized as one of the country’s most community-minded companies.

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.

For more than 25 years, Mac Voisin has been the face of M&M Meat Shops, appearing in M&M store flyers and personally endorsing M&M’s commitment to providing Canadians with quality, convenient meal ideas that allow you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family and friends.

Connected to Community

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.

In 1989, Mac cooked up M&M Meat Shops first chain-wide “Charity BBQ Day.” Now an annual event, it has raised more than $12 million to-date for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) funded research, and M&M Meat Shops has become the charity’s number one corporate donor. For his Mac Voisin Biography commitment, Mr. Voisin received a Commemorative Medal from the Governor General of Canada.

Also sitting on various charitable boards, Voisin 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.

“You’re only as healthy and happy as the community you live in,” says Voisin. “Building a healthy community is not only a privilege; it’s my civic responsibility.” To celebrate M&M Meat Shops 25th Anniversary in 2005 and raise even more funds for his favourite charity, Mac initiated National Family Dinner Night encouraging families to spend more quality time together and highlight the chain’s commitment to great meal solutions. Held every September, M&M Meat Shops donates $1 for every person who commits online to enjoy a family dinner on National Family Dinner Night.

M&M Meat Shops: Model for Success

For his business acumen, Mac has received the Canadian Food Industry’s “Man of the Year”; “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young, Nesbitt Burns and Bank of Montreal; and has been recognized with several Canadian Franchise Association awards, including the “Award of Excellence in Franchise Relations” and the “Corporate Citizen Award” for M&M Meat Shops charity work with the CCFC.

M&M Meat Shops is among “Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies” and employs more than 110 employees at head office in Kitchener, Ontario; with additional personnel at regional offices in Quebec and Alberta; thousands of Product Consultants and hundreds of Franchisees across Canada.

“No matter how little your brand is; act big and you’ll be perceived as big,” says Voisin. “This philosophy has helped us change the Canadian frozen food landscape and now we are exploring new concepts and markets.”

Mr. Voisin continues to call Kitchener-Waterloo home. He is now the proud grandfather of two beautiful grandchildren. Outside the office, Voisin enjoys a round of golf, scuba diving a game of horseshoes, travel and his famous coast-to-coast friendship tours to M&M Meat Shops stores across Canada.

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.

Dennis Watson was recognized at the 2007 Citizen of the Year Dinner Gala, held on Thursday April 24th 2008 at The Waterloo Inn & Conference Centre located in Waterloo.