Photo: KSA Volunteer Recognition Award for Stanley Park Optimist Ball (L-R) Craig Findlay (presenter), Joe Watson (award Recipient) and Bill Pegg (KSA President). (Nov. 21, 2017 at the Edelweiss Sports Bar)
The Kitchener Sports Association holds an annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner at which we've had numerous people honoured over the years: Each local sports group gets to have one of its key volunteers publicly recognized.
The Optimist Club of Stanley Park's ball program wouldn't be possible to run without the volunteer efforts of hundreds of volunteers who pitch in and help each year. On behalf of the kids, thanks!
JOE WATSON - Our Volunteer Award recipient for 2017
Joe joined the Optimist Club of Stanley Park in 1986. Three years later, Joe stepped forward to organize the wrap-up celebration when the Optimist club partnered with the individuals who were running a T-Ball program in Stanley Park. With Joe’s help, the program flourished and so did the season-ending party that soon became known as “Hot Dog Day”. Since its inception, Joe has been responsible for organizing Hot Dog Day — an annual event that now draws well over 1,000 people, involves serving 1,400+ hot-dogs, entertainment, activities for the youth and, most of all, fun for all participants. Joe is also hands-on: he trucks supplies to the site, helps erect the tents, sorts equipment and often uses his electrical expertise to get everything running. An executive member of the Club for close to 30 years, Joe is the classic volunteer working mostly behind the scene — one those involved in the Stanley Park Optimist Ball Program can count on.
KSA Volunteer of The Year Recipients
for Stanley Park Optimist Ball
| 2022 | Ken Mielke |
| 2019 | April LeBlanc |
| 2018 | Ken Wettlaufer |
| 2017 | Joe Watson |
| 2016 | Amanda Ducey |
| 2015 | Gail & Mike MacKenzie |
| 2014 | Kurt Munz |
| 2013 | Ruth & Paul Reitzel |
| 2012 | John Harvey |
| 2011 | Phil Munz |
| 2010 | John & Leticia Sherritt |
| 2009 | Dan Reid |
| 2008 | Bruce Lowery |
| 2007 | Boyd, Karen, Leah & Dayna Nairn |
| 2006 | Tim Trottier |
| 2005 | (no award) |
| 2004 | (no award) |
| 2003 | Owen Tabbert |
| 2002 | Richard Robertson |
| 2001 | Daniel Sheppard |
| 2000 | Mike Baird |
| 1999 | Craig Findlay |
| 1998 | Jim Weiler |
| 1997 | Mike Stanley |
| 1996 | Peter Hoffman |
| 1995 | Jeff May |
| 1994 | Gord Dearborn |
| 1993 | Mike Vandepas |
| 1992 | Rick Waud |
| 1991 | George Schuster |
| 1990 | (no award) |
| 1989 | Ernie Parker |
Note: As this award is given for to a volunteer who has provided distinguished service over a number of years, a person may only be honoured once for work with that organization. (Refer to the KSA site)
Over the years we've been fortunate to have numerous individuals stand out by providing extra help - well beyond any normal "call of duty." They represent the hundreds of others that our Ball Program requires to run. Thanks to ALL our volunteers!
