Celebrating Seniors

John Cooper

John is the founder of KidSport KW, which provides grants to help cover the cost of registration and equipment fees to help children and youth in Kitchener and Waterloo participate in dance and sport programs. John has also served as President of the Kitchener-Waterloo Sports Council. 

Linda Drouin

In 2021, Linda mobilized her community to support an Afghani family whom she met at Moses Springer Park. She coordinated donations from her neighbours to help the newcomers settle in Waterloo. This family now refers to her as “Mom Linda.” Linda has gone on to support other newcomers to the city.

John Enns

John has served on the boards of Waterloo Mennonite Homes, Independent Living Waterloo Region, the local Community Care Access Centre, and many others. He has contributed his time and talent to the Centre in the Square and the public school board. In his spare time, he has been a ski instructor.

Ian Fong

Ian began volunteering at Bridgeport Public School’s Forest School when his grandson attended as a kindergarten student. He has continued to volunteer in the program and the children experience him as generous, patient and kind. They call him YeYe, which is Cantonese for “Grandfather.” 

Bijun Gong

As the president and founder of the Red Maple Seniors Association, Bijun has created a welcoming and inviting organization for older adults in Waterloo’s Chinese community. Her strong leadership and selfless dedication have helped many older adults to build relationships and remain socially engaged. 

Bill Green

Bill’s expertise has been invaluable to building projects in Waterloo, including the Church of the Holy Saviour and Hospice Waterloo Region. He is also active with the Kitchener Panthers Baseball team, the Hockey Helps the Homeless organization, and the Kitchener Westmount Rotary Club.

Natalie Kononenko

Natalie used her skills as an ethnographer and academic to help local people living with cancer. Following her own diagnosis, she worked with Hopespring Cancer Support Centre to publish “Cancer Patients Speak.” Natalie is also heavily involved with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Sophia.

Edwin Laryea

Edwin helped create the first race relations committee at the public school board. He has served on several boards including the Waterloo Region Hall of Fame and the African Canadian Association of Waterloo Region and Area. Edwin also wrote and performed a one-person play, “No More Ice Cream.”

Julie McAuliffe

Julie coordinates the Kitchener Waterloo Chapter of Project Linus Canada. Under her leadership, volunteer “blanketeers” provide handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill. She works closely with the Grand River Hospital Foundation to ensure they have blankets for their young patients. 

Gary McQuillan

Gary volunteers with Shelter Movers, helping individuals and families move from unsafe environments to new and more secure housing. Gary is called upon several times each week to assist families in crisis. Gary was also one of the founders of the Waterloo Roadbreakers Road Hockey Tournament.

Errol Nairn

Errol volunteers with the Tsuruoka Kai Karate DO K-W, a not-for-profit karate club. His skills and positive outlook have made him a role model for many young people. He has also helped to keep participation fees low and accessible. Outside of karate, Errol continues to run marathons. 

Robert Semple

After a year in a shelter for the unhoused, Rob moved to the Supportive Housing of Waterloo (SHOW) apartments and has become a peer supporter and community builder. His influence in the building is steady, genuine, and deeply appreciated. In many ways, he is a catalyst for hope.

John Thiessen

John is a member of the Waterloo North Mennonite Church and volunteered with the Sunnydale Community Centre for over 25 years. At the Centre, he helped with the weekly food distribution program, led a men’s group, and assisted with “handyman” duties when needed. 

Ina Wilhelm

Ina volunteers with National Service Dogs (NSD). She has clocked 19,000 hours in the last few years as a puppy raiser, adult dog raiser, and breeder caretaker. Ina is also in her seventh year as a volunteer with Drayton Festival Theatres, performing front-of-house duties and acting as a goodwill ambassador.

2025 - Bill Carter

Bill has been actively involved in the Kitchener Conestoga Rotary Club for 50 years, Treasurer of the Board of Directors for Grassroots Responses and a strategic leader at the Cloverleaf Foundation which has provided grants to impactful local organizations including Immigration Partnership, local hospitals, Hospice Waterloo Region, Strong Start, and Tiny Home Takeout.

2024 - Jassy Narayan

Jassy was a founding member of Focus for Ethnic Women, an organization in Waterloo created to train immigrant women for the workplace. Over the years Jassy has been a volunteer board member for K-W YWCA, K-W Social Planning Council, Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network, Waterloo Region Immigration Partnership and many more. Her work with community organizations has informed equity practices by advising on ways that organizations can be more culturally inclusive. 

2023 - Hirey Abdikarim

Hirey is a community builder, making a significant impact on the lives of young people in Waterloo Region through his leadership and commitment. For over 10 years, Hirey has been an active member of the Somali Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, supporting the organization’s youth sports programs. His ability to build positive relationships with young people fosters an environment where they feel safe and supported to ask questions and discuss important issues. 

2022 - Jane Mitchell

Jane may be known for her work as a Waterloo Region District School Board trustee and Region of Waterloo councillor, however, her volunteer involvement, before and after her political career, speaks even more to her community commitment. She has volunteered with the House of Friendship, the Cedarbrae School Breakfast Club and the Lakeshore South Community Association. She has served for the Canadian Federation of University Women, the All Saints Anglican Parish Council and the Grand River Conservation Authority and many more organizations. Jane's volunteer activities speak volumes about her commitment to Waterloo. 

2021 - Nancy Werner 

For over 20 years, Nancy has been a volunteer, and for five years, coordinator, of the Breakfast Club at Cedarbrae Public School in the Sunnydale community of Waterloo. Legally blind all of her adult life, Nancy has dedicated her retirement years to making a difference in children’s lives. The children and community at Cedarbrae School reap the benefits of Nancy’s tireless contributions.

2020 - Janet Hoffman

Janet Hoffman has been described as a “freelance volunteer.” She is not limited by organization or role but contributes where help is needed. Her contributions are holistic and collaborative: she recognizes what is required and sets about with others to make it happen. Among many other volunteer positions, Janet has been a regular volunteer with the Sunnydale Community Centre, a House of Friendship neighbourhood program, since 2007. 

2019 - Jean Hoffmann

Jean Hoffmann is a retired Waterloo Region District School Board elementary school teacher. Since retirement, Jean has devoted much of her time to assisting others in the City of Waterloo and surrounding area. “Tireless work in the service of others” is a theme of Jean’s volunteerism.

2018 - Maedith Radlein

A resident of Waterloo, Radlein is a retired Waterloo Region District School Board elementary school principal. She was recognized for her long-standing commitment to city and regional organizations, institutions, clubs and groups.

2017 - Rick Chambers

Rick's contribution to the community is far-reaching and he has long been recognized for his strength of leadership and character. His passion lies with promoting an age friendly community. He was chairperson of the City of Waterloo 55+ advisory board from 2013 to 2016.

2016 - Arlene Groh

Arlene is a nurse and consultant for Healing Approaches for Elder Abuse and Mistreatment, an organization which aims to provide opportunities for change and healing to communities affected by elder abuse. She coordinated the Restorative Justice Approaches to Elder Abuse Project and was a founding member of Waterloo Region's Elder Abuse Response Team.

2015 - Chris Barker

Chris was chosen for her impressive list of volunteer activities that have made a difference in shaping our community, including preparing food at RCAFA Wing 404, participating on Mayor's dinner committees, the social committee chair for the Old Salts Senior Canoe Club, garden volunteer and community ambassador for Parents for Community Living and long-time visitor to an older group of women living at senior retirement homes.

2014 - John Philips

John was recognized as a volunteer with the St. Jacob's Playhouse and at his church, an enthusiastic greeter of guests at the Adult Recreation Centre and piano player for the Senior Outing Day Program 

2013 - George MacAskill

George was honoured for his extensive community involvement spanning the last 30 years, including volunteering with the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic as a golf course marshal and the 55+ golf league.