“On behalf of Orillia City Council and the Citizen of the Year selection panel, I’d like to congratulate Linda Pearce on being named the 2024 Citizen of the Year,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “Linda’s giving spirit and efforts in supporting the community have made a positive impact for many families and residents in Orillia. Her compassion and continuous dedication to supporting those in need highlighted her contributions in 2024.”

Pearce was described by her nominators as selfless, caring, and an incredible role model for others. Nominators also pointed to Pearce’s continued dedication, providing gift baskets to women and children throughout the year. Her generosity has been shared with those in the community through numerous organizations, including The Sharing Place, Couchiching Jubilee House, and many more.

“Linda works year-round, nearly every single day on her passion, which she calls, ‘Linda’s Gifting Project’. Her motto is ‘Cheering up children and women in need’. What she does is provide special gift packages to needy children and women in our community on the special occasions of Christmas, Easter, Valentines Day and Mother’s Day,” said nominator Rick Pearce.

The 2024 Citizen of the Year panel included former winners Derick Lehmann, Cam Davidson, Marci Csumrik, and Fred Larsen, as well as OrilliaMatters editor Dave Dawson, Pure Country 106 Morning Host Carey Moran, and Orillia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Allan Lafontaine. Nominations for the 2024 Citizen of the Year Award were accepted between Dec. 16, 2024, and Jan. 20, 2025, with nominators encouraged to provide letters of support highlighting the nominees’ accomplishments from the past year.

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A panel of local residents, with the assistance of the City of Orillia, is accepting nominations for the 2024 Citizen of the Year. The deadline for nominations is 12 p.m. (noon) on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. Nominations must be submitted using the nomination form available online at orillia.ca, or from the Service Desk located in the Orillia City Centre (50 Andrew St. S.).

Submissions must include the full name and contact information for the nominator and the nominee, as well as a detailed explanation of why the nominee deserves to be named Citizen of the Year. The award is not open to groups or organizations.

Nominees must be residents of Orillia, the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, or the townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara or Severn, who have contributed to the betterment of Orillia. The decision will be based on the nominee’s accomplishments as a volunteer in 2024. The 2024 Citizen of the Year Award will be presented by Mayor Don McIsaac at a regularly scheduled Council meeting in early 2025.

The 2024 Citizen of the Year panel includes former winners Derick Lehmann, Cam Davidson, Marci Csumrik, and Fred Larsen, as well as OrilliaMatters editor Dave Dawson, Pure Country 106 Morning Host Carey Moran, and Orillia Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Allan Lafontaine.

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A panel of local residents, with the assistance of the City of Orillia, is accepting nominations for the 2023 Citizen of the Year. The deadline for nominations is 12 p.m. (noon) on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Nominations must be submitted using the nomination form available online at orillia.ca, or from the Service Desk located in the Orillia City Centre (50 Andrew St. S.).

Submissions must include the full name and contact information for the nominator and the nominee, as well as a detailed explanation of why the nominee deserves to be named Citizen of the Year. The award is not open to groups or organizations.

Nominees must be residents of Orillia, the Chippewas of Rama First Nation, or the townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara or Severn, who have contributed to the betterment of Orillia. The decision will be based on the nominee’s accomplishments as a volunteer in 2023. The 2023 Citizen of the Year Award will be presented by Mayor Don McIsaac at a regularly scheduled Council meeting in early 2024.

The 2023 Citizen of the Year panel includes former winners Cam Davidson, Marci Csumrik, Fred Larsen, and Stan Mathewson, as well as OrilliaMatters editor Dave Dawson, Pure Country 106 Morning Host Carey Moran, and Orillia Chamber of Commerce President Nathan Housser.

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“On behalf of Orillia City Council and the Citizen of the Year selection panel, I’d like to congratulate Cam Davidson on being named the 2022 Citizen of the Year,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “Cam’s contributions towards affordable housing in Orillia and other volunteer efforts have had a very real impact on the residents of this City. His persistence, dedication and continued commitment have earned him respect among peers and we are lucky to have him in our community. A sincere thank you to all nominees for their contributions that add to the quality of life in our City.”

Davidson, a former local teacher, received several letters of support from nominators. He was described by his nominators as passionate about community needs, especially when it comes to housing, and eager to bring new initiatives forward. Nominators also pointed to Davidson’s vision for the community, intentions, initiative, and perseverance as admirable qualities.

“Cam Davidson has been volunteering in the City of Orillia for the last 20 years. He has focused on advocating for affordable housing for people in the vulnerable sectors such as seniors and disabled, single parent families, the low socioeconomic, and for the homeless. Cam has a determination and flare for connecting agencies, people, services, and government officials to accomplish a common goal,” said nominator Dr. Lynn Dowswell.

Nominations for the 2022 Citizen of the Year Award were accepted between Jan. 16 and Feb. 6, 2023. This year’s finalists included Cam Davidson, Ruth Watt, Madeleine Fournier, Ruth Fountain, Stephen Davids, and Sylvia Smith.

The 2022 Citizen of the Year selection panel consisted of Mayor Don McIsaac (non-voting member) and former winners Marci Csumrik, Michael Gordon, Fred Larsen and Stan Mathewson, as well as Pure Country 106 Morning Host Carey Moran, OrilliaMatters editor Dave Dawson, and the Orillia Rotary Club’s Mario Tulipano.

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“On behalf of Orillia City Council and the Citizen of the Year selection panel, I’d like to congratulate Marci on being named the 2021 Citizen of the Year,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “Marci’s extraordinary contributions to our Sunshine City are admirable. Her hard work, dedication and philanthropic involvements earn her respect with her peers, and we are truly lucky to have her in our community. A sincere thank you to all nominees for their contributions that add to the quality of life in our City.”

Csumrik, a local real estate agent, received several letters of support from nominators. She was described by her nominators as a true advocate of supporting local businesses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. She supports and donates to numerous charities and not-for-profit organizations including The Sharing Place Food Centre, The Comfie Cat Shelter, the Orillia Youth Centre, The Orillia Museum of Art and History, and The Lighthouse. When Csumrik isn’t selling real estate, she tirelessly volunteers and is a member of the Orillia and Area Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee, the Orillia Business Women’s Association and the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce.

“She embodies the words volunteer and good citizen in so many ways,” said one nominator, Karen Bell.

“Marci is a community volunteer extraordinaire, humble and kind, an inspiration,” said Julie Cayley, another nominator.

The 2021 year was a particularly busy and philanthropic one for Csumrik, including her involvement in the creation of the Vern Herron Dental Fund, administered by the Orillia Youth Centre. This fund is available to the city’s most vulnerable youth and ensures they have access to a full range of dental care and orthodontic services.

Nominations for the 2021 Citizen of the Year Award were accepted between Nov. 29, 2021 and Jan. 6, 2022. This year’s nominees included Csumrik, the late Chris Bellchambers, Pam Carter, Angie Green-Hill, Nicole Hepinstall, Joyce Hird, Barbara MacLeod, Brian Stanton, and Glenn Wagner.

The selection panel consisted of former winners Mayor Steve Clarke (non-voting member), Michael Gordon, Fred Larsen, Stan Mathewson and Gill Tillmann, as well as Pure Country 106 morning host Carey Moran, Orillia Today reporter Frank Matys, and Kiwanis Club of Orillia president Heather Breckles.

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