Senior of the Year represents the best Kitchener has to offer

The City of Kitchener has singled out this year’s top senior citizen who has exemplified the best in improving the social, cultural and civic life of the community.

Sultanali Hudda was named Kitchener’s 2023 Senior of the Year in a ceremony held at Victoria Park Pavilion on May 30.

The recognition came just ahead of June, which is Seniors’ Month and a time to celebrate the hard work citizens over the age of 65 have done their entire lives to make Ontario one of the country’s great places to live.

Hudda received the annual award from the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors (MACKS) in partnership with Mayor Berry Vrbanovic.

“As a community we want to be able to live well and age well. (All of the) nominees have shown that they are doing just that, and more, by generously sharing their knowledge, gifts and time to build a better, more caring Kitchener through volunteering.” said Mayor Berry Vrbanovic in a statement.

“Congratulations to all of our nominees. I am so pleased to present Sultanali with this year’s Senior of the Year award and recognize his outstanding contribution as an inspiring role model to his peers and the community.”

In addition to the Senior of the Year award being presented to Hudda, the event also recognized the outstanding contributions and achievements of no less than 17 nominees.

So why was Hudda singled out by the selection panel for the annual prize?

Well, the Kitchener senior has volunteered his time with several organizations that address issues of social justice, Islamophobia, and anti-racism, for one.

However, in addition to advocacy work with organizations such as Muslim Social Services and Islamic Humanitarian Services, Hudda also volunteers with the House of Friendship’s Onesight program, providing free glasses for seniors living with low income.

Sultanali also offers appliance repair at low or no cost for those living with lower income. He provides rides to the mosque for those without transportation and helps to organize food and clothing donations in support of global emergencies.

The Senior of the Year selection panel is comprised of members of Kitchener City Council, MACKS, City of Kitchener staff and representatives from Volunteer Waterloo Region.

Each year, the group carefully reviews each nomination and select a candidate whose contributions make a unique and positive impact on the community.

Other nominees for the Senior of the Year prize include Fadumo Aden, Kuldip Bachher, Mary Dooley, Sharon Gowland, Marguarite Knechtel, Marcela Kupfer, Don O’Bright, Chaitanya Jyoti Parivrajika, Dan Purcell, Evelyn Richter, Debbie Rochon, Tim Sauer, Cathie Savage, Andrew Teminski, Dennis Watson, Gavin Wilson, and Jan Zuk.

To learn more about this year’s Senior of the Year recipient Sultanali Hudda, and the other nominees, visit www.kitchener.ca/SOTY.