Seven NOTLers were among those awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal Wednesday evening.
MP Tony Baldinelli awarded 22 residents in the Niagara Falls riding with the honour during a ceremony at Delphi Banquet Hall in Niagara Falls.
Niagara-on-the-Lake residents Steffanie Bjorgan, Tony Chisholm, Lt.- Col. (Ret.) Al Magnacca, Joe Pillitteri, Dorothy Soo-Wiens, Arturo Viola and Peter Warrack were awarded, along with 15 others.
Bjorgan told The Lake Report most of the recipients didn’t know about their award until the week prior.
“It was another nice surprise,” she said.
Bjorgan is the executive director and founder of Red Roof Retreat, a NOTL organization that provides service and respite care to children, youth and young adults with special needs.
Bjorgan said it was especially an honour to be surrounded by so many notable Niagara residents at the award ceremony.
“It reminds you that we can be proud of our efforts and be good role models. To be standing next to people I’ve always admired — that’s huge,” she said.
Tony Chisholm, who was nominated by a neighbour for his volunteer efforts in town, said it was a great honour.
“I haven’t done it on my own — there’s dozens of other people working with me on many of these projects,” he said in an interview.
“So, I’d like to think I accepted this on behalf of all the people who worked together to achieve what we’ve achieved.”
Last fall, Chisholm was named the recipient of the Niagara Foundation’s Living Landmark Award for 2024.
He spoke about his work as president of the Friends of Fort George and volunteer efforts on restoring the Upper Canada Heritage Trail, as well as the town’s bicentennial celebrations for the War of 1812.
“The ongoing strength of the Friends of Fort George is something I’m very proud of, we’ve got a great board of directors who are working together to accomplish a lot,” he said.
“The other thing I’m very proud of is the fact we’ve been able to continue the heritage trail further up the line. Hopefully, in 2025, we’ll get as far as Line 3 or Line 4.”
These achievements show the support of many NOTL residents, Chisholm said.
Soo-Wiens said she was “floored” to have been recognized with so many other notable recipients.
Soo-Wiens was recognized for multiple charitable efforts around town, including volunteering with Inasmuch House, quilt making with Newark Neighbours, NOTL Palliative Care, Cornerstone Community Church, the NOTL tractor parade and more.
During his speech, Baldinelli recalled Soo-Wiens volunteer highlights and several leadership roles held around town.
“Dorothy embodies her philosophy that a community is built one thoughtful act at a time,” Baldinelli said.
Soo-Wiens hopes her award will shine a light on community needs, she said.
“I would like the outcome of me winning this award to highlight the needs that are in our community,” Soo-Wiens said.
“Every kind gesture that is done makes a bigger impact on your community.”
Warrack was recognized for his with Project Protect against human trafficking and Project Guardian against fentanyl trafficking, aiming to get the government and private sector to work together, he said.
“I’m just the tip of the sphere, who’s privileged to receive the award on their behalf,” Warrack said.
His receipt of the award was very timely, Warrack said.
“Given the reason for the tariffs — Canada has been doing good work in that field for a number of years now,” he said.
Baldinelli acknowledged each recipient in a media release.
“I am so pleased to have been able to present these medals to individuals within our riding, who have made a real difference,” Baldinelli said.
“Their dedication to making the lives of their neighbours and our communities better in so many ways deserve to be recognized, honoured and celebrated.”
