The Quinte West Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 2023 President’s Dinner and AGM on Thursday, March 23rd at Occasions by the Bay in Bayside. This is a special night in Quinte West where the business community comes together to recognize the accomplishments of its Chamber, the success of its business community and to pay their respects to this year’s Honorary Life Time Membership recipients Ken and Cynthya Schmidt.
“It is our honour this year to recognize Ken and Cynthya with a Honorary Lifetime Membership,” said Quinte West Chamber president Matt Doty. “They have owned and operated McDonald’s in Quinte West, Brighton and Campbellford since 2004 and we are pleased to offer this award to both of them. They are the first couple to receive this award, in our 73-year history in Quinte West.”
As entrepreneurs over the past 19 years, Ken and Cynthya have become community leaders in the Quinte region, through their participation in charitable events, their volunteerism, and their philanthropy. Their contributions to our community are numerous and have made a positive impact on the lives of so many while running their own successful business. Those contributions include fundraising and donating to the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation, the MFRC, the Alzheimer’s Society, the John Williams YMCA, and many other charities and causes in the Quinte Region.
“Cynthya and I are delighted to receive this lifetime membership from the Chamber, and we are honoured to join such an illustrious group of business owners in Quinte West”, said Ken Schmidt.
“Our involvement in the Quinte community is made possible by a fantastic group of people – our employees, who do such a great job each and every day. We want to take this opportunity to thank them for all that they do for us,” added Cynthya Schmidt.
Cynthya has served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA of Central Eastern Ontario, the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation and the Trenton Rotary Club. She is currently Treasurer of the Board of Directors for The Children’s Foundation of Hastings, Prince Edward, and Northumberland Counties (TCF). Cynthya is also an active member of OTEC (Ontario Tourist Education Corporation), representing businesses in Eastern Ontario in a cross-functional team comprised of educational institutions, organizations, Chambers of Commerce, research & technology partners, and all levels of government.
Ken is a past member of the Trenton Rotary Club and a former Chair for The Children’s Foundation of Hastings, Prince Edward, and Northumberland Counties (TCF). Ken has served on the national business forum with McDonald’s Canada since becoming a franchisee and has represented fellow owner/operators on various forums and teams within the McDonald’s Network. He presently represents fellow owners on the McDonald’s Ontario People Team. Ken is currently the co-chair for the Strong Communities’ campaign for the YMCA of Central Eastern Ontario and is a member of 100-Men Who Care, Quinte region.
“Ken and Cynthya’s efforts to make this community a better place to live for everyone has been very impactful, especially for youth and children,” said Quinte West Chamber CEO Suzanne Andrews. “They were a major sponsor in the development of Quinte Sailability, the Kiwanis Splash Pad and the Lion Club’s accessible playground in Centennial Park. They have supported all forms of Children’s activities including soccer sponsorships, the learn to skate program, Atom minor hockey, U11 Golden Hawks, the YMCA strong kids’ campaign, Camp Trillium, and The Children’s Foundation leading to their recognition in 2017 as ‘Guardian Angels’. There are many other community events and initiatives they have supported over the years, and it is those efforts together that we want to recognize. They are true ambassadors for the entire business community.”
The Honorary Life Time Membership is awarded to local business people that have given freely of their time and expertise over the years to contribute to the growth of our community. Past recipients of this award are: Lt. General Howard Graham; Dr. W.A.L. McDonald; Wilf Wilkinson; Ian Darling; Doug Whitley; Eben James Sr.; Phil Panelas; Paul Tripp; Peter Davis; Rob Brown; Hugh O’Neil; Tom Kotsovos, John Williams, John Smylie, Paul Whitley, Mike Cowan, Mark Phillips, Kelly Scott, Lanny Huff and Aleesha Camp.
If you would like to attend, tickets are available to the dinner and awards, which features a full course dinner by Occasions By the Bay and live music. Tickets are $120 per person and can be purchased online at www.quintewestchamber.ca or at the Chamber office 613-392-7635.
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