Volunteer Appreciation Award Recipients

The Citizen of the Year Award is given to a citizen of the Township of King to recognize and honor outstanding contributions to King. This year’s recipient is Ivan Rapa.

Nominated by Anthony Bisogno on behalf of the King United Soccer Club (KUSC), Rapa's contributions to the community and the club have left a lasting impact.

Rapa's journey with KUSC began nearly 13 years ago when he joined as the equipment manager. His dedication to making soccer accessible to all soon propelled him into the role of vice-president of operations and, later, president. Known affectionately as "Coach Ivan," he became a familiar face on the field, ensuring that every child's experience with the sport was meaningful and aligned with the club's ethos of "Soccer for Life."

As president, Rapa worked tirelessly to enhance KUSC's facilities, collaborating with the Township and private stakeholders. He also represented the club at regional and provincial soccer levels, advocating for the sustainability of community clubs like KUSC against for-profit academies. Rapa’s leadership has inspired many to return to coach and volunteer, creating a ripple effect of positive change in King Township.

This award is given to one or more citizens or an organization for a special contribution made to the community. This year’s recipients are:

Nancy Boyd: Boyd was recognized for her support of the King Township Food Bank and community, her creation of the Love Bags program and her dedication to serving the less fortunate in a profound way.

Karen Marshall: Marshall was recognized for her dedication and service with the King Township Food Bank as well as Christmas in King and significantly enhancing the organization’s fundraising efforts with her remarkable organizational skills.

Patti Strypek: Strypek was recognized for her dedication and service to Arts Society King, the King Township Public Library’s King City branch and for the various charity events she has helped to run, such as Comedy in King and the King Holiday Lights Tour.

This award is given to one or more individuals for a special contribution made to the community who reside outside of King. This year’s recipients are:

Karlene MacDonald: MacDonald was recognized for her dedication and service with the Nobleton Skating Club. She was recognized for her compassion and professionalism alongside her countless volunteer hours, ensuring families and skaters enjoy the sport.

Ken Orr: Orr was recognized for his contributions to the community by way of coaching and donating to youth sports teams, along with his giving more than 40 years of service to work with and help fundraise for  the Lions Club.

This award is given to a senior citizen of King to recognize and honour special contributions to the senior population of King. This year’s recipient is:

Earl Groombridge: Groombridge was recognized for his coordination of initiatives to uplift the underprivileged, his involvement with the King Township Food Bank and support of those facing transportation challenges, offering his time and vehicle to those most in need.

This award recognizes outstanding citizenship within the community, with many years of dedicated service and devotion to the residents of King. This year’s recipient is:

Carol Ann Trabert: Trabert was recognized for her creation and development of the King Township Food Bank, her “proclivity for saying yes” when it comes to serving her community and her exemplary dedication to her community’s well-being.

This award is given to a younger citizen of King to recognize special contributions to the Township. This year’s recipients are:

Isabella Iacolino: Iacolino was recognized for her volunteer work over the last two years with King’s Community Services department. She first started volunteering to obtain her high school volunteer service hours. However, she has far surpassed her 40 hours and continues to volunteer with King. She tackles every volunteering opportunity with enthusiasm and a sense of fun.

Layla Giambattista: Giambattista was recognized for her willingness to support her community through the act of volunteering with the King Township Public Library, providing valuable support as a Reading Buddy to younger children as they develop and improve their literacy skills. Parents of the children she volunteers with speak highly of her.

The Citizen of the Year Award is given to a citizen of the Township of King to recognize and honor outstanding contributions to the King.

The 2023 Citizen of the Year Award was given to Angelo Santorelli.

Presented in recognition of his special dedication, generosity and time to his community as a longtime resident, proud business owner and President of Trisan Construction, member of the King Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years, including President since 2019, as well as his participation and involvement in the Township’s Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Angelo has helped bring businesses together and have been involved in creating a stronger and better community for all who live and seek to thrive in our Township.

This award is given to one or more citizens or an organization for a special contribution made to the community in whole or in part. There are 15 recipients for 2023. They are:

Brenda See: Schomberg Village Association, Schomberg Agricultural Society, Dufferin Marsh Nature Connection,  Schomberg Lions Club and the King Township Foodbank

Joe D'Ercole: Committee of Adjustment

Sharlene Maietta: Girl Guides in King, King Township Food Bank

Beverley Berger: Accessibility Advisory Committee

Bob Belcher: King Curling Club

Fiona Macrae/Llian Macrae and Gerladine Alletson: Kettleby and Christ Church, Christmas in King (King Township Foodbank), Open Doors King (King Historical Society), Canada Day in Kettleby Park, Kettleby Fair, Christ Church Kettleby’s Women’s Guild Spring and Fall Teas, activities of Kettleby Village Association as well as writing, editing and publishing a a book about Kettleby Village and its Christ Church.

Gillian Watt: Concerned Citizens of King Township

Gino and Susan DiFebo: Nobleton United Church and community, King Curling Club

Ian Hilley: Kingscross Estates Ratepayers Association, King for Refugees, CHATS and the Canadian Hemachromotosis Society

King For Refugees: Presented in recognition of assisting 30 newcomers from different parts of the world to reside in King by raising the funds necessary to sponsor a family for a year, guiding and supporting the families toward financial independence, securing accommodations, clothing, furniture and food among many other things.

Linda Pabst: Involved in bringing ambulance service to Nobleton and King City, volunteering with EMS for over 16 years and serving as a King Councillor for  24 years. After retiring as a Councillor in 2018, member of the Accessibility and Advisory Committee.

Mary Muter: Chair of the Georgian Bay Great Lakes Foundation, Concerned Citizens of King Township, Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust, Save The Oak Ridges Moraine Coalition and Kingscross Ratepayers Association.

Meline Beach: King Township Food Bank

Michele McNally: President of Arts Society King

Schomberg Horticultural Society: Presented in recognition of its tremendous efforts and contributions to the community since its inception on April 12, 1935.

Susan Hayhoe: Nobleton Pool Committee, Nobleton Skating Club, Nobleton Tennis Club, Young Mother’s Group in Toronto acting as a support and mentor to young single mothers.

The Special Recognition Award given to one or more individuals for a special contribution made to the community in whole or in part but reside outside of King.

Janice Gervais: King Township Food Bank and King Curling Club.

Kathleen Rodgers: Arts Society King

Mark Pavilons: King Township Food Bank, regularly promoting the Food Bank’s activities and events through the King Weekly Sentinel.

The Senior Citizen Award of Merit is given to a Senior Citizen of King to recognize and honour special contributions to the senior populations of King.

Robert Phillips: Nobleton Lions Club

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding citizenship within the community, with many years of dedicated service and devotion to the residents of King.

Louise Di Iorio: King Township Historical Society, Heritage Advisory and the King Township Museum Board.

Wendy Sue Bishop: Marshal for the annual Main Street Christmas Parade for the past six years and the voice of Schomberg with a weekly update in the King Weekly Sentinel for over 30 years. 

The Youth Award of Merit is given to a younger citizen of King to recognize special contributions to the Township.

Julia Tabrizi: King Township Public Library Reading Buddies program.

Noa Brook: Mayor’s Youth Action Team, organized a group to clean a public pond in King, coordinated a school fundraiser  for the Vaughan animal shelter as well as teaching English to Ukrainian refugees.

Paul O’Neill: Leaders In Training  program for summer camps at the Township of King. Volunteered for eight weeks at the King City Arena leading campers through games, activities and helping with the lunch program.

Zoran Ouslis: Volunteer camp counsellor with the Township of King in 2021, volunteer mentor for younger high school students at King City Secondary School, including volunteering time to tutor students in Physics and Mathematics, volunteered with the Reading Buddies Program and currently enrolling in the Math Buddies Program.

The Citizen of the Year Award is given to a citizen of the Township of King to recognize and honor outstanding contributions to the King.

The 2022 Citizen of the Year Award was given to Michelle Frauley.

Michelle received the award in recognition of her dedication, generosity and time to the community as a caregiver, volunteer, resident and business owner.

Michelle has more than three decades of nursing experience, including family medicine, palliative and end-of-life care, women’s health, complex long-term care, operating room and community.

In 2013, she founded Hospall Private Homecare in King. In 2016, she received an award from the International Nurses Association as a Worldwide Leader in Healthcare.

During the pandemic, Michelle took on a leadership role at King’s partner-led King Township Vaccination Clinic. She was a mentor to community volunteers, doctors and nurses, and helped lead the clinic to success.

This award is given to one or more citizens or an organization for a special contribution made to the community in whole or in part. There are 11 recipients for 2022. They are:

Alf Budweth: Nobleton Tree Lighting; Nobleton Victoria Day; A Main Street Christmas; King Fire and Emergency Services

Charles Cooper: Schomberg Village Association—A Main Street Christmas.

Gord Dobson: Schomberg Lions Club

Jennifer Eaglesham: Nobleton Tree Lighting; King Heritage Advisory Committee; St. Mary’s Parent Council

Catherine Flear: King Township Vaccination Clinic; Hope House Community Hospice; Hospice King-Aurora; Concerned Citizens of King Township; Climate Action King; Tree Focus Group; King Heritage Advisory Committee.

Earl Groombridge: Nobleton Lions Club

Bill Jones: Dufferin Marsh Nature Connection

Latif Kassam: Nobleton Lions Club; Nobleton Lions Charity Golf Tournament

Ian McClelland: King City Lions Club

Dorita Peer: WriteNow!@King, Arts Society King

Geoff Simpson: King Township Food Bank; Concerned Citizens of King Township; Arts Society King; King Township Vaccination Clinic.

The Special Recognition Award given to one or more individuals for a special contribution made to the community in whole or in part but reside outside of King.

Ann Del Favero: Nobleton Tennis Club

The Senior Citizen Award of Merit is given to a Senior Citizen of King to recognize and honour special contributions to the senior populations of King.

Carolyn Kanitz: King City Seniors’ Centre Board

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes outstanding citizenship within the community, with many years of dedicated service and devotion to the residents of King.

Bill Salter: Oak Ridge’s Trail Association; Concerned Citizens of King Township; Cold Creek Stewardship; Oak Ridges Moraine Land Trust; King Township Historical Society.

Dennis O’Hara: Schomberg Agricultural Society; York Region Milk Committee; York Region Holstein Club; Farmers’ Parade of Lights; York Region Federation of Agriculture; St. Patrick’s Church.

The Youth Award of Merit is given to a younger citizen of King to recognize special contributions to the Township.

Celina Lovisotto: Bags of Promise

Sofia Elisabeth Ouslis: Christmas in King; Nobleton Tree Lighting; A Main Street Christmas; Farmers’ Parade of Lights; King City Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival; Cold Creek Bee Festival; Holland Marsh Soupfest; Raspberry Festival; King Township Public Library.

This year the accolades went to Bruce Craig, current chair of Concerned Citizens of King Township (CCKT).

The highly engaged community activist, a common face at council meetings, was almost speechless when he came forward to accept the award. He thanked his long-time friends and colleagues who attended the evening. For Craig, his mantra is how much can be accomplished when we all just listen and understand one another.

A member of the King City Bible Church, Bruce is part of the “Missions and Compassion Team,” which identifies opportunities to help individuals. An active member of King for Refugees, Bruce is compassionately involved with families providing social and emotional support, assisting with fundraising efforts and most recently is an integral member of its Planning and Administration Team helping propel the organization forward.
He’s also a past member of the King Township Environmental Advisory Committee and was instrumental in forming the Tree Focus Group, helping to preserve trees in King.

Mayor Pellegrini said Craig is know for his “gentle and loving voice".
“You have become a dear friend to many and are a compassionate and caring individual who has a tremendous ability to give to others. A good and caring neighbour to all, you have been a blessing to many through your thoughtful and generous nature.”

Craig was among several CCKT volunteers recognized with Provincial Volunteer Service Awards in 2017.

Craig is a retired elementary school teacher with YRDSB and a King City resident since 1992. Bruce’s engagement with CCKT goes back to the “Big Pipe” sewer conflict and Community Plan and Official Plan planning processes in King in the mid-1990s. Bruce has been concerned with several environmental and planning related issues facing King, sustaining and preserving the Oak Ridges Moraine in particular.

Lisa Barenthin received the award for her tremendous efforts tremendous efforts within the community. She helps organize and execute a taekwondo tournament in Pottageville for the school, and has been the coordinator and organizer of the annual Terry Fox Run in King for 13 years. “Your dedication and leadership for the community is truly inspiring.”

Jerry MacBain got the nod for his involvement and dedication to coaching in the Nobleton Minor Hockey Association for several years. He was also chair of Nobleton arena for roughly 20 years. He’s an active member of the Nobleton Lions Club and held the position of president.

Anne Peat was honoured for her service assisting with King Township Archives, helping organize documents related to the histories of families who have or still live in King. She generously volunteers with Hospice King-Aurora (now known as Hope House Community Hospice). She also assists in the program “Picking up the Pieces” which offers assistance to patients after forgoing their cancer treatments.
“Your sensitivity, care and compassion for others is truly uplifting.”

Elaine Robertson was praised for her work as a member of the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee for over 30 years and president for eight years. She’s been a long-time member of the Historical Society and Arts Society King and is actively involved with preserving Kettleby. She volunteered at the Kettleby Fair.

Len Adams has been an instructor for many years at the King City Seniors Centre, teaching “Gentle Motion” (a form of Tai-Chi), encouraging seniors to be active and lead a healthy lifestyle. He participates in a cycling fundraising event for blindness.

Dima Berchalli and Mohammad Totah served as directors for King for Refugees, contributing countless hours in volunteer service which has enriched the lives of “newcomer” families in The Township of King. “You have been instrumental in sponsoring and welcoming new families to the community; generously preparing foods, attending settlement group meetings, organizing schooling for both adults and children, organizing budgeting, financial management and assisting families in settling into life in Canada.”

Caledon’s Barb Downey was recognized for her role as past-president and current director of the Nobleton & King City Horticultural Society. She’s actively involved in the Flower Show Committee, the Garden Tour Committee and is occasionally a guest speaker providing floral and decorating tips. “Your dedication, commitment and inspiring floral designs are truly admired by all!”

Haider Meghjee & Aziza Amarshi were honoured for providing a series of free monthly wellness talks and complimentary nutrition and wellness seminars offered at the King City Library and for seniors at the King City Senior Centre. They have been instrumental to the community by building and providing exceptional friendly service at the King City Guardian Pharmacy, and volunteering for the King for Refugees by helping initiate a fundraising program, and mentoring and providing employment to several of King’s newcomer youths. They also enter a support the Run for Southlake Hospital, and created a team in the Sporting Life Walk which supports “Camp Ooch” (patients of Sick Children’s Hospital). They also support the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Ride for Cancer.

Mary Aldcroft was honoured for her service with the King City Senior Centre and Board of Management, operating as the kitchen convenor. She makes sure the entire center’s functions have the necessities they require. Known for her helpful nature, she is often found driving seniors to and from doctor’s appointments, food shopping, assisting with pet care when the owners have been away, and organizing weekly bingo and other events in her building. Aldcroft is known for her great smile and contagious laugh.

Carol Field was singled out for her time serving as acting chair of the King City Seniors Centre; attending monthly board meetings, ensuring the members have a variety of programs and events they can participate in, such as pot lucks, barbecues, fashion shows, day trips, bridge and painting classes. She’s a member of the Nobleton & King City Horticultural Society and has generously hosted garden tours, maintained the seasonal outdoor arrangements as well as planted and nourished the centre’s gardens. “A concerned and helpful neighbour,” she is often seen driving people to their appointments, and assisting in any way she can.

Shannon Adams was honoured for her dedication and time assisting emergent readers and children through the King Township Public Library Reading Buddies Program.

Dylan DiGirolamo was praised for participating with the volunteering program HOSA Canada, a health science student organization that enhances and develops the quality for future professionals of health education within the high school. Dylan is also involved in King fundraising events such as MS drives, Cure for Cancer, Township’s summer fairs and events and at the Trisan Centre, helping coaches and training younger players.

Mahya Subedar assists emergent readers and children through the King Township Public Library Reading Buddies Program.