The Violence Awareness and Random Acts of Kindness Program, along with the Quinte Mall and Charm Diamond Centres, announces that Ken Kerik of Belleville is Quinte’s 2026 Kindness Citizen of the Year.
Ken has been described as the type of neighbour, friend and community member that every family hopes to have and whose impact reaches far beyond what words can easily capture.
It started out three years ago with Ken helping an elderly couple in his neighbourhood with clearing the snow in the winter and cutting the grass in the summer. For aging adults, this kind of reliable and practical support is not a small thing. It is what allows them to stay safely and comfortably in the home they love.
Approximately a year ago, the health of one of Ken’s neighbours deteriorated and their family faced a steep learning curve: increased care needs, new daily challenges and emotional weight that comes with watching a parent’s independence diminish.
As their needs grew so did Ken’s presence. Whenever something needed to be fixed or tended to around the house, Ken was there. He became a steady and trusted presence during one of the most difficult times in this family’s life.
Ken has stepped up in a way that is unheard of. He attends the Quinte Wellness Centre twice a week to offer support and assistance to this elderly couple and he offers peace of mind while improving their quality of life.
Ken Kerik represents the very best of what community can look like. If every neighbourhood had someone like Ken, someone who quietly and consistently looks out for an older adult, we would live in a more inclusive, more compassionate and more connected community where elders are not forgotten, but celebrated and cared for.
For his selfless dedication, his quiet consistency and his profound impact on this elderly couple and their family and this community, Ken is the perfect choice for this award.
