Laura Kennedy Receives CFKR’s 2024 Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award
Cranbrook, BC (December 3, 2024) – The Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) is thrilled to celebrate Giving Tuesday by announcing that Laura Kennedy is the recipient of the 2024 Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award.
“Giving Tuesday, which follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday, is a special day to encourage and recognize generosity and community giving around the world,” according to Lynnette Wray, CFKR Executive Director.
Wray added, “For the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies, Giving Tuesday is the day we choose to highlight volunteerism in our community, by recognizing an unsung hero, who generously volunteers their time and energy in a quiet, dedicated, and selfless manner, making a positive impact in Cranbrook and the surrounding area. We received numerous nominations this year, all of which were excellent, and we thank all of the nominators and nominees. It’s our distinct pleasure to present the 2024 Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award to Laura Kennedy.”
Laura is a life-long community volunteer, with her service spanning over 50 years, always with the goal of enhancing the community as a whole. Laura has led and supported multiple groups, committees, and boards, including Girl Guides, PAC committees, fundraisers, and community projects, such as the Rails to Trails expansion. Laura has served on the board and been a driving force behind the former Sam Steele Days for over 40 years and was instrumental in the 2022 re-branding of this annual festival to Spirit of the Rockies, to better reflect diversity, inclusion, and belonging in Cranbrook. Laura continues to serve the community as a member of Cranbrook Rotary, volunteering as Secretary and co-chairing the hugely successful annual gala fundraiser, to support local community projects. From 50/50 sales at the Bucks games to her many years of running the Turkey Drive, Laura continues to pour her heart and soul into the betterment of Cranbrook.
As the 2024 recipient of CFKR’s Community Volunteer Award recipient, Laura is designating the accompanying $750.00 donation to the 2024 Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce Turkey Drive, a cause which is near and dear to Laura’s heart; the donation will be shared evenly between the Cranbrook Salvation Army and the Cranbrook Food Bank.
Laura Kennedy said, “I’m deeply honoured and humbled to accept this award on behalf of myself and all of the dedicated volunteers who make such a difference in our community. Each of us can make a positive impact, whether it’s sharing a kind word, lending a helping hand, or working on a community project. I sincerely encourage everyone to get involved by becoming a volunteer.”
CFKR is honoured to steward the Knights of Pythias Crescent Lodge #33 Fund, which includes the direction to recognize a community volunteer on an annual basis, including a donation to the recipient’s charity of choice. Previous award winners of the formerly named “Sustainable Community Builder Award” include:
- 2015: Gord Johnston, recognizing his work with the Cranbrook Boys’ and Girls’ Club (now BGC Cranbrook) and Habitat for Humanity;
- 2016: Robert Williams, celebrating his many contributions to ʔaq̓am and the Ktunaxa Nation;
- 2017: Jean-Ann Debreceni, for her many years of service with the East Kootenay Community Credit Union Board (now StellerVista Credit Union), Cranbrook Community Theatre, Cranbrook Garden Club, Key City Theatre, and Fort Steele Heritage Town;
- 2020: Colin Campbell, posthumously awarded, in recognition of his significant community contributions through Rotary, the Masons, and various community projects;
- 2021: Jim Nicol, recognizing his leadership, dedication, and many volunteer contributions to the Cranbrook Community Forest Society;
- 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.
- 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.
2024 nominations were open via an online form from November 5th to 25th.
Knights of Pythias
In 2010, upon the surrender of their Charter and dissolution of their Lodge, the Knights of Pythias Crescent Lodge No. 33 gifted the then Cranbrook and District Community Foundation with $25,000, to establish the Knights of Pythias Crescent Lodge No. 33 endowment fund. The Knights of Pythias Crescent Lodge, and their companion branch, the Pythian Sisters, had a long history in Cranbrook, and, at one time, owned a hall located between City Hall and Rotary Park. They contributed to many charities and good works in this area.
The Fraternal Order Knights of Pythias began in 1864 and was the first non-sectarian fraternal order to receive a charter by a special act of the United States Congress, when Abraham Lincoln was President. It is based on the legendary friendship of Damon and Pythias during the ancient days of Syracuse and the philosopher Pythagoras. Pythians practice Friendship, Charity, and Benevolence.