City honours seven exceptional volunteers with 2026 Civic Awards
Each year, the City of Kingston’s Civic Awards celebrate volunteers who go above and beyond to strengthen their communities in areas including culture, heritage, recreation, sports, health, education, environment, safety and business. The seven 2026 recipients have each made a lasting impact through their dedication and service.
The City is honoured to celebrate these recipients of the 2026 Civic Awards:
First Capital Distinguished Citizen
Marion Westenberg
To Marion, “music and beauty add to all that we do.”
For more than 60 years, Marion has dedicated herself to the Kingston community through volunteer service. Her contributions have touched many organizations, including Kingston General Hospital, the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Domino Theatre, the Great Lakes Museum and, notably, the Kingston Symphony.
At the Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Marion helped bring arts programming and special events to the community, and her involvement with the Kingston Symphony has spanned more than six decades, including service as president. She remains an active volunteer, continuing to share her passion for music, culture and community.
From healthcare to heritage and the arts, Marion's volunteerism has enriched countless lives and strengthened the fabric of the community.
First Capital Honourable Achievement Award
Rumit Sohal
“Kingston is a city built on compassion, inclusion, and community spirit. I am proud to be a small part of that, and I look forward to continuing to serve and give back for many years to come.”
Inspired by the words of the poet Rumi — “When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy” — Rumit has embraced service as a way to contribute to the community he has called home since arriving in Kingston as an international student. Since then, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to community involvement through volunteerism, mentorship and public service initiatives.
Over the years, Rumit has contributed to a wide range of community organizations, including the Kingston Police Community Volunteers, the Canadian Colour Kingston Foundation, the City of Kingston’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and the Council Resourcing Working Group. Through these roles, he has supported community safety initiatives, cultural events and diversity programming, while also making a difference through everyday acts of kindness, from checking in on neighbours to helping seniors with errands.
Alicia Gordon
“It’s a really great feeling to give back to the community.”
Alicia Gordon is a partner at Gordon’s Real Estate Brokerage – Under One Roof and the founder of MaxSold. She is a dedicated volunteer and community leader who has helped raise millions of dollars for hospitals, schools and programs supporting seniors.
As past president and director of fundraising for the Rotary Club of Kingston, Alicia has consistently worked to create positive change, strengthening local initiatives while supporting international humanitarian projects.
For nearly five decades, Alicia's generosity, leadership and passion for philanthropy have made a lasting difference in the lives of countless people, both in Kingston and beyond.
Shawn Quigley
“The work that I do is a way of being; it's not just one more thing to do, it’s just who I am, and I just happen to be fortunate enough to surround myself in amazing people”
Shawn Quigley plays a vital role in supporting youth in the community, leading both the Youth Services Committee and Youth Diversion. Shawn has supported thousands of children, youth and families by developing and delivering programs focused on mentorship, justice diversion, leadership development and professional skill-building.
Beyond his role as Executive Director of Youth Diversion, Shawn’s commitment to service is evident in his active community involvement. From the Mad Hatter Curling Bonspiel and annual Lobsterfest to the Rotary Club of Kingston, he brings energy and compassion to every initiative. His leadership has created meaningful opportunities for young people while helping build a stronger, more caring community.
Mayor’s Award for Youth Volunteerism
Gabriel Bergeron - Secondary
“I don’t think it takes an extraordinary person to make an extraordinary impact.”
In Gabriel’s grade eleven year, as part of his school’s computer science specialist program, he recognized a serious problem: many students didn't have easy access to important technology. This inspired him to create the Student Laptop Access Program (SLAP!), a volunteer initiative aimed at helping secondary students in Kingston and nearby areas get the technology they need to learn.
Since launching the program, Gabriel has raised nearly $60,000 and distributed almost 200 laptops to students who need them most. His initiative has expanded access to technology for local students and will continue to create opportunities for learning for years to come.
Zein Al Abideen Hammad - Post-secondary
“It’s nice being able to have some positivity, have some people who align with you and want to work towards something that is bigger than you.”
Zein is inspiring youth-led action through service, mentorship and community leadership. As founder and president of Little St. Nicks Foundation Queen’s and STEMBuddies, he has mobilized hundreds of volunteers to support pediatric patients, expand mentorship opportunities and empower young people through accessible education and research initiatives.
By creating meaningful opportunities for youth to learn, lead and serve, Zein is helping shape the next generation of community leaders.
Lucas Perri - Post-secondary
“Even though I may not be present in that room where that book is having an impact, it allows me to have a lasting impact that goes beyond my presence -- it’s everlasting.”
Helping others has always been central to Lucas’s values. Inspired by the caregiving of one of his family members, he developed a strong interest in palliative care.
This passion led him to found Youths for Hospice (YfH), a not-for-profit organization he continues to lead while studying at Queen’s University. YfH supports community connection and stewardship in palliative and long-term care settings.
While volunteering alongside patients, families and interdisciplinary care teams, Lucas recognized a gap in how palliative care is discussed and understood. In response, he and his brother published Someone I Love Is Dying in Hospice – What Should I Expect?, a resource now used at Emily's House (SickKids) and 16 hospices across Ontario. The book has since been translated into French, with a Spanish edition in the works — a reflection of Lucas's deep commitment to health literacy and equity, and his belief that every young caregiver deserves to understand and navigate end-of-life care in the language most familiar to them.
“These awards recognize people who give their time, talents and energy to support others and strengthen our community,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “The contributions of this year’s recipients have touched the lives of many residents, and it is a privilege to celebrate their commitment to making Kingston a better place.”
Award recipients will be celebrated at a ceremony during the Aug. 11 City Council meeting.
The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.
Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.
