Olafson Named 2018 Citizen Of The Year

Cory Olafson receives the 2018 Citizen of the Year Award - Photo Courtesy Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce

Cory Olafson has been named Moose Jaw's Citizen of the Year. The award was presented to Olafson at a noon hour banquet today.

“It is a mixed bag of emotions on this and it is humbling for sure,” Olafson told MJ Independent, adding “it is is kind of an embarrassing thing but at the same time it is nice for the community to reach out to us.”

He said winning the award is something himself and the other nominees are not looking for but rather the real winner are the people of Moose Jaw. Olafson said he knew the other nominees and although their paths do not cross often they all do good things in different ares of the community.

“The real winner is the City of Moose Jaw. There are a lot of good people doing a lot of good things,” Olafson said.

Olafson has an impressive list of community credentials and involvement.

He has been an active member of the Kinsmen Club for over 25 years. The club has raised over $1M to date from the Sports celebrity banquet, and last year raised $75,000 from the Chase the Ace promotion, he initiated the Christmas tree to Mosaic Place following the Kinsmen Santa Clause parade.

As a founding member of KidSport in Moose Jaw they have provided $45,000 to 325 applicants. Olafson is a founding member of the Business Men’s Club. 

He has played, coached and currently a Board Members on the Millers Baseball for 30 years. 

He was the recipient of the 2018 Kinsmen Sports Builder Award and he still finds time to coach Minor Girls Fastball over the 7 Years    

Also nominated were Joe Gunnis and Lloyd and Lyann Pethick. 

Joe Gunnis is well known in local volleyball circles. 

He has been a volunteer volleyball coach for a decade at Central Collegiate where he has coached junior boys, junior girls and senior girls teams.

An avid curler he is co-chair of the 2020 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. 

Husband and wife Lloyd and Lyann Pethick are involved with numerous community organizations such as Eastern Star, Masons, South Hill Community Association, Optimist Club, St Andrews and Western Development Museum. 

They are well known for volunteering - often on short notice - for these groups and others in many different roles to assist the community.