As part of today’s celebrations for Giving Tuesday, the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies (CFKR) is thrilled to announce that Nancy Banks is the recipient of the 2022 Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award.

For over 25 years, Nancy has been the driving force behind the Christmas Wrap table in the Tamarack Centre Mall, providing a valuable community service while raising an average of $6,000 each year for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Nancy takes on multiple roles with the Christmas Wrap table, including as lead volunteer, chief recruiter, supply purchaser, scheduler, and treasurer. In addition, as part of the Christmas Wrap table, she also supports the children’s Angel Tree by being the location where donors can pick up Angel Tree requests, drop off their donated presents, and have them wrapped.

According to Sharone O’Brien, who nominated Nancy for this award, “I am so happy, and privileged, to nominate Nancy for the Community Volunteer Award. Nancy does this volunteer work without fanfare or recognition, year after year. She does it cheerfully and with appreciation for each person on her volunteer team. Each and every year, Nancy puts her heart and soul into making the Annual Christmas Wrap table a success.”

O’Brien added, “Nancy prepares for the Christmas Wrap table well in advance, taking the time to order all the wrapping paper and other supplies. She also goes to several Cranbrook businesses to get boxes for shoppers’ use when their gift is not boxed. Every day, from December 1 to December 24, Nancy comes to the mall to collect the days’ donations, prepares the days’ record, and deposits the money into the bank.”

Nancy is honoured to receive this award, and, as the 2022 recipient, she is pleased to designate her $750 donation to the East Kootenay SPCA, which provides such valuable support and services to local animals.

Lynnette Wray, CFKR Executive Director said, “Nancy Banks exemplifies the purpose of the Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award, to recognize an unsung hero who volunteers their time and energy in a quiet, dedicated, and selfless manner, making a positive impact in Cranbrook and the surrounding area.”

Wray added, “CFKR is honoured to steward the Knights of Pythias endowment fund, which includes the direction to recognize a community volunteer on an annual basis, including a donation to the recipient’s local charity of choice.”

2022 nominations were open online from November 15 to November 24.

Jim Nicol was the recipient of the 2021 Knights of Pythias Community Volunteer Award, in recognition of his leadership, dedication, and many volunteer contributions to the Cranbrook Community Forest Society. Jim designated his charitable contribution to the Cranbrook Community Forest Society.

Previous award winners of the formerly-named “Sustainable Community Builder Award” include Gord Johnston in 2015, recognizing his work with the Cranbrook Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity, Robert Williams in 2016, celebrating his many contributions to ʔaq̓am and the Ktunaxa Nation, Jean-Ann Debreceni in 2018, for her many years of service with the East Kootenay Community Credit Union Board, Cranbrook Community Theatre, Cranbrook Garden Club, Key City Theatre, and Fort Steele Heritage Town, and Colin Campbell in 2020, posthumously awarded, in recognition of his significant community contributions through Rotary, the Masons, and various community projects.

Photos submitted
CFKR

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