Finalists named in eight categories for 2020 Civic and Community Awards

The 24 finalists have been unveiled for Kelowna's 46th annual Civic and Community Awards.

Finalists in the eight categories were announced at the top of Monday's city council meeting.

As opposed to previous years when winners were announced at a gala ceremony, due to gathering restrictions around COVID-19, the 2020 winners will be announced virtually during city council meetings throughout the month of April.

“We’re excited to reveal the people, businesses and organizations that really stepped up in 2020 to shine a positive light on our city,” said Mariko Siggers, community and neighbourhood services manager.

“This year’s awards program highlights the leaders in our community that not only showed excellence, but also spirit and resilience in a year that was challenging for so many in our community.”

The finalists highlighted outstanding achievements by the city's volunteers, artists, coaches, businesses and non-profit organizations.

They include:

Honour in the Arts

• David Doody
• Dustyn Baulkham
• Karma Lacoff Nieoczym

Teen Honour in the Arts

• Allie Sieben
• Julius Brooker
• Scotty Berg

Bob Giordano Memorial Award – Coach/Sport Administrator of the Year

• Christine Hank
• Jenni Duff
• Meghan Faust

Champion for the Environment

• UBC Okanagan
• Columbia Bottle Depots
• Anna Warwick Sears

Corporate Community of the Year Award

• RBC Kelowna
• Total Restoration
• Peter’s Independent Grocer

Central Okanagan Foundation – Volunteer Organization of the Year

• Kiwanis Clubs of Kelowna
• Central Okanagan Region Nutrition Society
• Elizabeth Fry Society

Young Citizen of the Year

• Survinder Momi
• Tian Whitehead
• Toni Willoughby

Fred Macklin & Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award - Citizen of the Year

• Craig Siemens
• Elaine McMurray
• Shannon Gall

Anita Tozer Memorial Award

• Bestowed at the discretion of mayor and council

The young citizen of the year finalists receive funding toward their post-secondary education through the Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Youth Scholarship. The winner receives $2,000, while the two other finalists each receive $1,000.

Recipients of teen honour in the arts receives a $500 entrance scholarship to UBCO courtesy of the Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies.

Athletes and team of the year are not being presented during to the stoppage of sports throughout much of 2020.

Outstanding achievements during the brief season will be held over as part of the 2021 award season.