Longtime Cranbrook volunteer Kathleen Simon is the city’s 2026 Citizen of the Year.
Simon received the honour at the Business Excellence Awards on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Simon said she was amazed to win and honoured to join past recipients whom she holds in high regard.
“I’m amazed. I’m in incredulous that I won because, as I said on the stage, I always thought that the citizen of the year was an extraordinary person, a person who does so much for their community, kind of a mover, a shaker, and I never looked at myself that way. I never regarded myself as a special person, and so tonight it was such an honour to be chosen to be among those beautiful citizens of the year,” said Simon.
Simon has spent years helping groups including the Toastmasters Club, Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary and working with youth ambassadors.
Simon said there is a part of volunteering that is not just about giving.
“I love getting the “give” back. Because you get a give back, you know when you volunteer you get something out of it. It’s not just what you’re giving, it’s what you get back,” said Simon.
She added hearing how her speech coaching helped young women has been especially rewarding.
“What I get back when I coach the youth ambassadors is a lot. I get wonderful birthday cards. I got a birthday card this year, a handmade birthday card that was fantastic. I get young women who come back to me and tell me how my speech coaching made such an influence in their lives.” said Simon.
Simon concluded that seeing what you can do for the community is a huge part of the reward.
“When I’m at the thrift store, It’s so exciting there, to be able to realize what you’re doing and what you’re giving back to the community. It’s wonderful.” said Simon.
Kathleen Simon was presented the Citizen of the Year honour at Key City Theatre by Chamber President Travis-Dean Bradley.
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