During a live broadcast of CTV News at 6 on September 14, 2013 Anchor/Producer Kimothy Walker was surprised by friends, colleagues and the United Way with a Community Builder Award for her community service. Her name will be engraved on a special wall at Ottawa City Hall.
Kimothy was nearing the end of her newscast when CTV News at Noon Anchor Michael O’Byrne suddenly walked onto the set behind her, truly shocking her. She turned to see some friends filing in, along with United Way President and CEO Michael Allen, as well as representatives of several of her other charities, including SchoolBox and Hera Mission. Four senior leaders of her Amazing People Gala were also on hand, Chair Eric Collard, Lucie Vignola, Heather Gilmour and Heather Boyd. Sue Wilson of Christie Lake Kids had nominated Kimothy for the award.
On live television, O’Byrne explained that the group was there to surprise her with the Community Builder Award for her work in Ottawa, Nicaragua and Kenya. Kimothy contributes more than 200 hours a year to local charities, in addition to the CTV Amazing People Gala where her team raises tens of thousands annually to fund Ottawa students who build schools in Nicaragua and Kenya, with SchoolBox and Hera Mission.
Kimothy thanked everyone present before telling the viewers ,watching it all unfold at home, that it is because of them that she does what she does, that Ottawa is an exceptional city to serve, and that she is truly fortunate to have the job that she does.
Earlier this year, Kimothy was also awarded Professional Woman of the Year by the Ottawa Women’s Business Network. She is a Queen’s Jubilee Medal recipient for her national work as a champion for child abuse survivors. In 2008, she was selected as a Forty Under 40 recipient by the Ottawa Business Journal and she has been honoured by the Ontario government for her volunteer work. Kimothy is also a Y Woman of Distinction, and continues to be a champion for the Y.
Kimothy has been with CTV News for 23 years, starting in her third year at Carleton University’s School of Journalism. She continued as a student until after graduation, and has since filed for CTV local and national newscasts, from Ottawa, Toronto, the United States, the Philippines and Tanzania. She is currently CTV’s Weekend News Anchor/Producer and files a weekly feature called “Amazing People” that celebrates extraordinary citizens.
The surprise award was a great addition to a week that will culminate in Kimothy getting married. Her 16-year-old daughter, Kyra, a student leader, will walk her down the aisle, along with her parents.
