Nancy Bodi named King Township's Citizen of the Year
By Bill Rea

These are some of the top volunteers King Township honoured last Tuesday night in Pottageville.

Nancy Bodi has devoted a lot of effort over the last couple of years making the Kingfest Music Festival into an institution, and King Township has recognized that work.

Bodi was named King Township's Citizen of the Year last Tuesday night at the annual volunteer appreciation evening.

"It was very easy to choose this year's Citizen of the Year award," Mayor Margaret Black commented as she made the announcement. "This person is a long time King resident and over the years has been active in church and other volunteer community work."

Black went on to comment on how Bodi has held executive positions in advertising and marketing with several corporations and recently completed her MBA at York University's Schulich School of Business.

But it was her work as the "driving force behind building Kingfest from a gospel evening three years ago to a full blown three day outdoor music extravaganza," that drew the most attention, especially her recent successful efforts to attract government funding for Kingfest from a variety of sources including the Trillium Foundation, Ontario Tourism and the Ontario Arts Council.

Meg Bennett, who has taken part in the Schomberg Idol competition, offered her singing talents at the volunteer recognition evening

It was clear that Bodi was one of the most surprised people in the room.

"This is really a surprise," she declared as she accepted the award.

"I had no idea," she later said.

"It's quite an honour," she added, "because I was standing among other people who are really deserving."

Bodi also made a point of sharing the credit with the other people involved in organizing Kingfest, stressing she's part of a team. "It's been a journey and I really do feel we've been blessed," she commented.

There were numerous other groups and individuals recognized during the evening for their volunteer efforts.

"Volunteers are the very fabric of our community," Black remarked.

York North MPP Julia Munro said it's easy to come up with a list of what makes a community, and volunteerism is near the top.

"Volunteers really are the key to the quality of life we do enjoy," she commented.

The volunteer organizations operating in King are almost too numerous to mention, but Township Clerk Chris Somerville gave it a shot, citing the Lions clubs in Nobleton, King City and Schomberg; the soccer clubs in Nobleton, King City and Schomberg; skating clubs in the three villages; NobleKing Minor Hockey Association, Schomberg Minor Hockey Association; the King Township Food Bank; King Township Historical Society and Archives; Lloydtown Rebellion Association; Concerned Citizens of King Township; King Environmental Groups; Nobleton Alert; King City Preserve the Village; Kettleby Village Association; Save The Oak Ridges Moraine; Vision King; Nobleton Women's Institute; Nobleton Block Parents; Hospice King - Aurora; Knights of Columbus; King Township Chamber of Commerce; Nobleton Schomberg District Chamber of Commerce; Schomberg Agricultural Society; Nobleton and King City Horticultural Society; Schomberg Horticultural Society; Gardens for King; Communities in Bloom; Rotary; Holland Marsh Drainage Commission; Dufferin Marsh Management Committee; Friends of Cold Creek; Oak Ridges Moraine Foundation, Oak Ridges Moraine Trail Association; Guides and Scouts; King City 39ers, Art Society King; Kingfest; and the Nobleton Victoria Day Committee.

"You are the heart of our municipality," Councillor Linda Pabst told the volunteers.

"It's a very silent work that you go about that makes our community what it is," Councillor Bill Cober added.

"I know there are hundreds more in this township who deserve to be here," Councillor Jane Underhill commented.

The following people were recognized for their volunteer contributions during the evening.

Special Recognition

Awards

Fred Beaton - Presented in appreciation of outstanding volunteer commitment to collecting various used articles from The Kingbridge Conference centre and delivering them to the needy.

Jean Boynton - Presented in appreciation of the outstanding volunteer commitment in serving the community as a long-term member of the Nobleton Community Hall committee and the Nobleton Women's Institute.

Dianne Lavender - Presented in appreciation of outstanding volunteer commitment and serving the community as a long-term member and leader of the Girl Guides of Canada.

Maike Hastie - Presented in appreciation of outstanding volunteer commitment and serving the community as a long-term member and leader of the Girl Guides of Canada.

Cheryl Fisher - Presented in appreciation of outstanding volunteer commitment to the King Township Food Bank and dedication to improving the quality of life for all.

Gillian Watt- Presented in appreciation of outstanding volunteer commitment with numerous community and e n v i r o n m e n t a organizations, such as Concerned Citizens of King Township, the David Suzuki Dinner and King City Lodge.

Nancy Hopkinson - Presented in appreciation of outstanding volunteer commitment with numerous Nobleton organizations, such as the junior school playground, cancer society, coaching boys' soccer, minor hockey, the horticultural society, Nobleton United Church and Nobleton Alert.

Youth Award of Merit

Jennifer Mantello, Melyssa Tari, Dillon Owens, Kailey McLeod and Stephanie Ferreira of the King Township Public Library Reading Buddies Program - Presented in appreciation of volunteers helping children become better readers.

Lifetime Achievement

Awards

Barrie Moir - Presented in appreciation of years of service with the King City Firefighters, York Central Hospital, King City Trails Committee and working tirelessly at keeping the community clean of litter.

Jim Morning - Presented in appreciation of many years of service on the Schomberg Community and Agricultural Arena.

Margaret Coburn - presented in appreciation of years of service with Concerned Citizens of King Township, Save the Oak Ridges Moraine, King Township Public Library Board and the York Region school board.

Virginia Atkins - Presented in appreciation of years of dedication to the King Township Public Library Board and the archives committee, as well as her work with the King Township Historical Society.

Dr. William Laceby - Presented in appreciation of years of dedication to civic duty, as shown by his involvement at all levels in many community groups, such as being a driving force in the building of the arena in Nobleton, minor hockey, shriners, Kleinburg Rotary Club, King City Lions Club, and his current involvement with Brandon's Eye Research, the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Kingfest.

Senior Citizen Awards of

Merit

Ian and Mary MacDougall - Presented in appreciation of years of volunteer service with the King City Seniors' Centre Committee of Management, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Hospice and blooddonor clinics.

Connie Inouye - Presented in appreciation of years of volunteer service with the King City Seniors' Centre Committee of Management (as secretary) and for running the foot clinics.

Ron and Betty Coles - Presented in appreciation of years of volunteer service with numerous community groups, such as St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, King City Seniors' Centre Committee of Management, blood-donor clinics and Hospice.

Norm Green - Presented in appreciation of years of volunteer service to Veteran Affairs Canada and for planning, organizing and participating in events to honour veterans; for his dedication to teaching young people the importance of "remembering. He was also cited for his work with Southlake Regional Health Centre, and driving patients to medical appointments.