Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies accepting volunteer award nominations

Nominations are now open for the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) 2026 Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award.

The award recognizes an individual’s contributions to Cranbrook and the surrounding area.

Preference goes to nominees who have not received a community or volunteerism award from another organization.

CFKR will announce the recipient on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1. The recipient can direct a $750 donation to a local CRA-registered charity or qualified donee of their choice.

In 2025, Tony Bourke received CFKR’s Community Volunteer Award. Tony is a dedicated community volunteer who generously shares his time, skills, and energy with the Cranbrook Food Bank, Cranbrook Hospital Auxiliary, and Key City Theatre.

As the 2025 award recipient, Tony designated the accompanying $750.00 donation to KidSport Cranbrook to assist local children and youth with the costs of participating in sports.

CFKR administers the Knights of Pythias endowment fund, which supports the annual award and charitable donation. Previous recipients of the award, formerly called the Sustainable Community Builder Award, include:

• 2024 – Laura Kennedy: 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.
• 2023 – Mike LeClair: 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;
• 2022 – Nancy Banks: 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;
• 2021 – Jim Nicol: recognizing his leadership, dedication, and many volunteer contributions to the Cranbrook Community Forest Society;
• 2020 – Colin Campbell: posthumously awarded, in recognition of his significant community contributions through Rotary, the Masons, and various community projects;
• 2018 – Jean-Ann Debreceni: 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;
• 2017 – Donna Brady Fields: 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;
• 2016 – Robert Williams: celebrating his many contributions to ʔaq̓am and the Ktunaxa Nation;
• 2015 – Gord Johnston: recognizing his work with the Cranbrook Boys’ and Girls’ Club (now BGC Cranbrook) and Habitat for Humanity Southeast BC

Nominations close Nov. 23. To nominate someone, click here. 

More information on the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies can be found at cfkrockies.ca