The City’s Civic Awards honour citizens who are the pride of Kingston and deserve to be deeply thanked and loudly appreciated. 

Those who have made significant contributions to our community through volunteerism in the areas of culture, heritage, recreation, sports, health, education, health care, environment, safety, volunteering or business may be acknowledged with one of these esteemed awards:

Awards

First Capital Distinguished Citizen

This award, the highest civic honour in Kingston, recognizes a lifetime of volunteer work by an individual whose efforts have left an indelible mark on our community. It takes long, hard, meaningful work to earn Kingston’s top award, which is open to citizens of all ages. 

Honourable Achievement

Also open to citizens of all ages, this award is intended to recognize more specific volunteer efforts – and those who make them shine.

Civic Award for Youth Volunteerism

These awards recognize youth in three categories – elementary, high school and post-secondary youth up to age 24 – who demonstrate leadership, care and compassion and/or the ability to overcome personal challenges, motivate others or use special skills to improve the community’s quality-of-life. 

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2023 Recipients

First Capital Distinguished Citizen

Dr. Lynda Colgan

As a lifelong educator (elementary, secondary and post-secondary) and professor emerita in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University, Lynda is known for her enduring commitment to making science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) more fun and accessible. One of the most impactful examples of this is Science Rendezvous Kingston, an annual celebration of science and scientists for the community first organized by Lynda in 2011. She strives to put STEM work on display beyond the classroom to engage young minds, helping them realize their potential as future discoverers.

Honourable Achievement 

Janice Barling

Janice donates her time to many community organizations, several of which she co-founded. Her devotion to community service includes Stephen Lewis Foundation: Grandmothers to Grandmothers campaign, Kingston Women’s Interfaith Group, Misiway- Friends of the North and Kingston Jewish Council. Janice also tirelessly raised funds for a skate park in Rideau Heights neighbourhood, helped newcomers to Canada settle into the community and raised funds to furnish a sleeping cabin, part of a pilot project to address homelessness in Kingston. The impact of her care and dedication is felt across the community and deeply appreciated by those she has supported.

Marci McMullen

Marci’s nominators describe her as selfless, giving, dependable and a “force of nature”. She is actively involved in volunteering with Rotary Club of Kingston, Easter Seals, Almost Home, Kingston Humane Society and Kingston 4 Paws Service Dogs. Her drive and enthusiasm have led to numerous successful fundraisers for these organizations, raising considerable funds and community awareness for many deserving causes. Marci’s contributions demonstrate a commitment to making a positive difference in the community.

Youth Volunteerism

Etienne Bougie

The impacts of Etienne’s volunteering are felt not only in his local school community, but across the province and around the world. The grade-five student has been a member of the school’s Humanitarian Club for over two years. During this time, he and his classmates have made ‘Ami(e)s de Poche’ (or Pocket Buddies), small yarn dolls that are sold by the club to raise funds for various humanitarian causes, including earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey, flood victims in Pakistan and food programming at Martha’s Table in Kingston. Etienne is always keen to lend a hand as a bus monitor and likes to make the school laugh by adding in a few jokes during his morning announcements.

Sekai Chikodzi

Sekai is recognized for amplifying the voices of Black and racialized students and creating space for their experiences in the school environment. She planned several activities during Black History and Futures Month in February, including a hair workshop led by a Black hairdresser for students in the Limestone District School Board. Recognizing the importance of hearing from fellow community members, Sekai also organized a Black Panel of Excellence event and moderated the discussion for her peers. She is planning future events for other schools and hopes to create culturally affirming spaces for Black and racialized students across Kingston.

Ravnoor Kang

Growing up in a Sikh household, the concept of ‘seva’ (or community work) was instilled in Ravnoor from a young age. He wanted to make a positive impact during his post-secondary years in Kingston; he started the Kingston chapter of Khalsa Aid, a non-governmental organization providing humanitarian aid, becoming their youngest-ever chapter president. Since that time, the Kingston chapter has grown to 60+ volunteers and supported Partners in Mission Food Bank, Ryandale Transitional Housing, Kingston Indigenous Languages Nest and St. Vincent de Paul Society. Ravnoor also restarted the Queen’s Sikh Student Association and generously donates his time as a coach for the Kingston United Soccer Club.

Previous Recipients