A retired school superintendent and a tireless volunteer were named Kelowna‘s top
citizens on Thursday night at the annual Civic and Community Awards.
The Man of the Year award was presented to Ron Rubadeau, and the Woman of the Year award went to Allison McNeill.
Despite retiring, Rubadeau has remained active in the community, and takes a special interest in youth-oriented programs and activities. Last year, he was president of Kelowna‘s B.C. Summer Games, which drew 3,500 athletes to the city and yielded economic benefits estimated at $2.6 million.
Over the years, Rubadeau has also volunteered with the Central Okanagan Sailing Association, Theatre Kelowna, Friends of Mission Creek and the Central Okanagan Foundation.
For more than 25 years, McNeill has been active with a broad range of Kelowna clubs and organizations, from Special Olympics to Communities in Bloom, the Okanagan Wine Festival Society to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. She has also helped to boost the profile of Kelowna nationally and internationally through her work with Destinations Kelowna and Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.
She‘s president of the Haven House Society, which is working toward creating a housing project for people with disabilities.
The 34th edition of the Civic and Community Awards was held last night at the Delta Grand hotel. In prepared remarks she was to deliver at a pre-awards reception, Mayor Sharon Shepherd planned to pay tribute to all volunteers.
“There are so many volunteer groups and individuals in our community that work quietly, relentlessly and without attention that I call it the ’Kelowna Underground,‘” a copy of her speech said. “I am very proud that each of you, from the high school student to the retired resident, is recognized for the value you have added to all our lives.”
Other award winners include:
Young Female Citizen: Sasha Gronsdahl. Her many extra-curricular enthusiasms include volunteering with the food bank, the Global Service Club and the Arts for Africa fund-raiser. She‘s also a top debater, field hockey player and member of Mount Boucherie‘s Reach for the Top team.
Young Male Citizen of the Year: K.J. Hanson. An energetic athlete, he plays basketball, volleyball and tennis, and is also a volunteer with the Special Olympics. The president of the KSS student council has also taken part in leadership events such as Social Justice and Fight Injustice Together.
Volunteer Organization of the Year: Kelowna Salvation Army. They had more than 500 volunteers out working the kettles during last year‘s Christmas campaign. Throughout the year, more than 1,000 people donated their time working on the Salvation Army‘s broad range of programs and activities.
Corporate Community of the Year: Telus. The company‘s employees, family members and friends donated more than 17,000 hours to Kelowna, and assisted on projects as varied as the rebuilding of the KVR trestles, nature trail construction and development of dog parks.
Honor in the Arts: George Cwiklewski; Teen Honor in the Arts: Evan Kascak;
Anita Tozer Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to the community: Rev. Albert Baldeo. Top of Page
