Dori Hopko named 2024 Jack McKenzie Memorial Award recipient

Tim Brody - Editor

Dori Hopko is this year’s recipient of the John Alexander “Jack” McKenzie Memorial Award. Presented on August 2 by the Rotary Club of Sioux Lookout during the opening ceremonies of the 42nd Annual Blueberry Festival, the award recognizes outstanding volunteerism, as exemplified by the award’s namesake.
The Award was created by the Rotary Club of Sioux Lookout in 1992 “in recognition of selfless dedication to the community and its people”. The award is presented in memory of the late Jack McKenzie, an outstanding volunteer who, for many years, served on a wide variety of committees and organizations.
Rotarian Alanna Pizziol-Carroll shared before presenting Hopko with the award, “The community of Sioux Lookout can be very proud of the fact that she has played a major role in the success of the Blueberry Festival. The Blueberry Festival is the longest continuously running 10-day festival in all of Ontario.”
Hopko has been President of the Blueberry Festival Committee from 2003-present, a Chamber of Commerce member for more than 20 years and most recently Director 2021/1st Vice President 2022 and 2023, a member of the Board of Directors of the Sioux Lookout Golf and Curling Club 2018-present, a member of the Catholic Women’s League 20 plus years, and most recently and dedicated volunteer with the Sioux Lookout Bombers Junior A Hockey team. 
“Many have benefitted from Hopko’s giving spirit, whether through her church, her business or the schools and other local organizations,” the Rotary Club of Sioux Lookout shared in a press release.
Four nominations were received this year for the Jack McKenzie Award, “All well deserving volunteers in our community,” the Rotary Club noted.
Other nominees this year were: 
•    Bobbie Roberts - Sioux Lookout Public Library Board, Board for Friends of Cedar Bay, Board and Chair since 2021, local chapter of Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, College of Nurses of Ontario. “Roberts has shown exceptional leadership in innovating new programs (for children, youth and adults) via Friends of Cedar Bay. She has organized events for and encouraged individual participation in kick sledding, scavenger hunts and contests involving nature walks with artwork, as well as walks for mushroom, flower and insect identification.” 
•    Carol Frejek - has been involved with PAWS for many years. She accepts donations and resells items for income to provide health care, food, shelter for animals in need. “She has dedicated many long hours and has an amazingly kind heart.”  
•    Nancy McCord -   Friends of Cedar Bay, Kids Kaleidoscope, 1st Sioux Lookout Beavers, Northern Lights Community Theatre. “McCord involves her family in many of her activities fostering volunteerism in the next generation. She and her family have participated in community clean-up events, Haunted Trail and Trunk or Treat at Cedar Bay, with Ms. Bowyer’s Grade 6, 7, 8 French Immersion class at Sacred Heart School they painted over 100 rocks featuring a poppy design, which were sold with proceeds to the Sioux Lookout Legion’s poppy fund,” the Rotary Club noted.  
“Volunteerism is alive and well in Sioux Lookout, we thank those who sent in nominations, but we also are grateful for the hundreds of volunteers in this community. Without their dedication so many of our favourite events would not continue to happen,” commented Susan Barclay, Chair of the Jack McKenzie Award organizing committee of the Rotary Club of Sioux Lookout.