Lawyers from Kidston Helm Ross present Cathie Stewart (middle) with the 2021 Good Citizen of the Year award in April 2022. (Submitted photo/JCI International) past Spring.

By Pete McIntyre

community service

Good Citizen Award seeking nominations

Dec 21, 2022 | 12:00 PM

The search is on for Vernon’s Good Citizen of the Year.

Junior Chamber International Vernon (JCI) is now accepting nominations for the annual award that honours an individual who has gone above and beyond to make a difference in the community.

“This initiative has been a long-standing tradition of the JCI Vernon, and we are excited to have the lawyers at Kidston Helm Ross be our title sponsor once again,” Erin Fraser and Abby Lagerquist, co-chairs of the 2022 Good Citizen of the year committee, said.

The committee is asking that all nominations include the first and last name of the nominee as well as their contact information, personal characteristics of the nominee, volunteer work performed, your contact information and any other details about the person.

Nominations can be emailed to jcivernongoodcitizen@gmail.com

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Last year’s winner was Cathie Stewart, a long time volunteer and president of the Vernon Jazz Club.

Lagerquist said this is the time to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in the community.

“Whether it is small acts of kindness, to larger volunteer events, Vernon is full of deserving, active volunteers and last year we were flooded with amazing nominations. Unfortunately, we can’t choose everyone. Last year, Cathie Stewart was chosen by our judging panel, and it was an afternoon I won’t forget,” Lagerquist said.

Fraser added the nominees consist of people who love to do volunteer work and go unrecognized.

“It is incredible to acknowledge their contributions and not only award them with the Good Citizen title, but also $500 to be donated on behalf of the recipient to a charity of their choice! One person may be chosen, but all volunteers are celebrated through the continuation of this award,” Fraser said.

As is the tradition, the recipient will be “surprised” when the award is presented in early February.

“We will be thinking creatively on how we surprise the chosen Good Citizen. We are planning on having them escorted proudly in the Vernon Winter Carnival parade,” Lagerquist said.

The deadline for nominations is Jan. 13, 2023.

For more information about the JCI Vernon Good Citizen Award, e-mail jcivernongoodcitizen@gmail.com.