Fred Macklin and Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award - Citizen of the Year

2023 Fred Macklin & Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial Award: Citizen of the Year Recipient

Milt Stevenson 

A great love of the outdoors prompted Doctor Milt Stevenson to join the Friends of the South Slopes Society—an organization dedicated to constructing and maintaining trails and facilities spread over hundreds of kilometers of recreational trails. As chair of the Trail Management Committee in 2023, Milt put in over 600 hours and helped oversee 56 volunteers. His commitment to health care is equally noteworthy, contributing volunteer hours to enhancing community well-being with a passion for aiding the underserved. As a 2023 board member of Okanagan Community Health Society, Milt was heavily involved in developing the Rutland Community Clinic. 

About the Fred Macklin and Sarah Donalda-Treadgold Memorial Award

Fred Macklin served Kelowna in many ways throughout his life.  He was the secretary treasurer of School District #23 from 1956 to 1974 and from 1976 to 1984 he was a City of Kelowna Alderman. He was chairman of many organizations including the Kelowna Parks and Recreation Committee, Labour Relations Board, the City Transit Management Committee and the BC Transit Council of BC.  He was also Director and Chairman of the Public Employees Council of BC. He also served as the Honorary Treasurer of the Okanagan Regional Library Board. Fred passed away in 1984.

Sarah Donalda Treadgold was an active and conscientious volunteer who understood the value and importance of working for the community. She was deeply interested in education and initially volunteered for many years on Kelowna Elementary School's P.T.A. She was encouraged to run for the office of school trustee in 1924 and topped the polls in every election for the next 23 years. Sarah was a loving mother with good ideas and the passion to stand up for what she believed - much like the other women who have been and will be honoured with the Sarah Donalda Treadgold Memorial Award.

Award Criteria

• Awarded to a man or woman in recognition of their outstanding voluntary contributions and community service to the city of Kelowna. Activities may be related to arts and culture, business, commerce, education, humanities, medical and recreation.
• Selections are based on the nominee's achievements and contributions throughout 2023.
• Past volunteer information may be included, but the nomination should focus on the current award year.  
• Nominees must not have personally benefited from their activities, nor should the contributions be considered part of their normal employment or job responsibilities.

Check back in fall 2024 for information about the 50th annual awards nomination period.