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CJKL FM's

Citizen of the Year &

Lifetime Achievement Awards

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Media release: February 24, 2026

 

Magic of Christmas Committee named 2025 CJKL Citizen of the Year

 

The Magic of Christmas Committee has been named the 2025 CJKL Citizen of the Year in recognition of their fundraising efforts in Kirkland Lake. The committee’s 2nd annual event raised over $87,000 for local community organizations.

 

Last November, the volunteer committee transformed the Royal Canadian Legion in Kirkland Lake into a festive winter setting for a week of celebrations including ticketed events, silent & live auctions, and a display of decorated Christmas trees & wreaths, along with handcrafted items and treats from local artisans.

 

$45,000 of the proceeds were donated to the Royal Canadian Legion in Kirkland Lake, $37,000 was donated to the Blanche River Health Foundation, and the remaining $5,000 was presented to Advocates for Northern Animals.

 

The Magic of Christmas Committee includes co-chairs Michelle Whelan, Carol Penfold and Heather Taylor-Sandrin, and Natalie Perrault, Linda Grimaldi, Shannon Whelan and Deborah Allison.

 

The 2025 Magic of Christmas was supported by several local sponsors, donors, volunteers, food partners, musicians and hundreds of people who attended the Magic of Christmas events last November.

 

In the first two years, the Magic of Christmas Committee has raised over $150,000 for local charities. The committee has already announced that the 2026 Magic of Christmas event will be held at the Museum of Northern History at the Sir Harry Oakes Chateau.

 

The 2025 CJKL Citizen of the Year Award will be presented to the Magic of Christmas Committee during a live broadcast on CJKL FM in the coming weeks.

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CJKL Citizen of the Year Award Recipients:​

For improving the quality of life for the people of Kirkland Lake

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2025: Magic of Christmas Committee

2024: Kirkland Lake Lions Club

2023: Advocates for Northern Animals

2022: Todd Turner

2020: Frontline Workers

2019: Kirkland Lake 100th Anniversary Committee

2018: Kirkland Lake Gold

2017: Lorraine Kiely

2016: Kirkland Lake Swampdonkeys Basketball

2015: Kirkland Lake Festivals Committee Volunteers
2014: Kirkland Lake Rotary Club
2013: KL Gold Miners Jr A Hockey Club
2012: Ministry of Natural Resources

2011: Splash Park Committee

2010: Pat Gannon & Mary Ranta

2009: Conrad Messier

2008: Angela Chiasson-Fox

2007: Doug LaBerge

2006: Frog's Breath Volunteers

2005: Hockey Heritage North Volunteers

2004: Kirkland Lake Gold

2003: Judy Mortson

2002: Barbara Hobson

2001: Nora Barker

2000: Dave Bolger

1999: Rick Danis

1998: Joe Rosko

1997: Sister Georgina Grubb   

1996: Irene Pochopsky

1995: Barrick Gold Corporation

1994: Blue Diamond Anniversary Com.

1993: Albert Dinel

1992: Mary Ann Taylor

1991: Norm Connelly

1990: Winter Carnival Com.

1989: Eugene Ivanov
1988: KLCVI Reunion Committee

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CJKL Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients:​

For improving the quality of life for the people of Kirkland Lake over many years

 

Jamie Taylor

Steve Cox

Kirkland Lake Arts Council

Bill Enouy

Alline Morash

Mike Guimond

Kenogami Spring Break Committee

Kabaret Charitable Foundation

Anna Giannakopoulos

Mary Nemcsok

Mike Leahy

Brian Culhane

Chuck Wallsten

Clancy Roswalka

Margaret Daugherty

Brian Hamilton

Carolyn MacKinnon

Ron Loach

Glenn Conrad

James Perry

Glenn Carter

Tom McClelland

Joe Mavrinac

Neil Culhane

Kaarine Evans

Hazel Joy

June Korhonen

Reg Tressider

Bertha Boisvert

The Santa Claus Express Committee

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Nominations for the CJKL FM Citizen of the Year & Lifetime Achievement awards are open to the public between January 1-31.

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The Selection Process:

 

A committee of local volunteers from the community selects the annual winner. These awards are intended to recognize volunteer efforts and should not be part of a paid position. Send detailed information on your candidate to the CJKL Citizen of the Year Award:

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email: HERE

drop off: CJKL FM, 5 Kirkland Street, weekdays 9am-4:30pm​

mail: P.O. Box 430, Kirkland Lake, P2N 3J4

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