Posted on Feb 08, 2018
On February 8th, 2018, the Rotary Club of Carlsbad held its 4th Annual Peacemaker Award Ceremony. The Speaker for the evening was Stephen R Brown who spoke
the Role of Rotary in Peacemaking including his own personal involvement in humanitarian projects around the world.
Renuka Sethi, Chair of the Peace Committee announced the following individuals or organizations nominated for the 2018 Peacemaker Award. 
 
1. Knox Williams was nominated by Renuka Sethi. A humanitarian and a Rotarian for 39years, Knox has been very active in the Carlsbad/North County community for several decades.
    He has served on the boards of the Encinitas and Oceanside YMCA. He remains active as an emeritus member of The MiraCosta Community College Foundation Board, which he 
    joined in 2008, after establishing a fund to provide scholarships for disabled MiraCosta students. Knox’s major passion over the past 11 years has been the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation. 
    In 2006, he was the founding Chair and continues to serve on committees. As a longtime philanthropist, he has been renowned for his caring spirit. Many of his deeds and donations are 
    offered quietly, without fanfare, to nonprofits such as Kids for Peace, which began locally and has become a global presence. More recently he has become  involved with Hands of Peace. 

 

2. Hands for Peace represented by Sarah Heirendt was nominated by Frank Silva  This interfaith organization develops peace building and leadership skills among young Palestinians, 

    Israelis and Americans. They are empowered to raise their voices as leaders of change. Through the power of dialog, they partner to pursue peace, equality, freedom and justice.

3. Joni Miringoff was nominated by Kelly Schafer for her work in founding and directing the educational programs at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad. Joni's program serves 
    thousands of children every year, from schools all over S. California. Joni has created a wonderful educational destination for children. Teams of volunteers teach about 
    water conservation, recycling, composting, respecting nature and doing their part as ambassadors for the environment.
 
4. Julie Nygaard was nominated by Renuka Sethi. Julie has been active in the Carlsbad/North County area for several years and has spent most of her adult life volunteering. 
    In addition to serving on the School Board for nine years, she was elected to the City Council in 1990 serving until 2002. She helped create the Coaster and the Sprinter trains 
    with her service for 10 years on the North County Transit District, with 3 terms as chair. In 2012, she was elected to TriCity Hospital Board of Trustees. 
 
The Peacemaker Award Selection Committee included Renuka Sethi (Chair), Joe Bear, Kevin Clark, Jeff Schafer and Frank Silva.
 
All nominees were honored and Renuka Sethi announced that Knox Williams was selected as the winner of the the 2018 Peacemaker Award
 
Knox Willams made a few remarks after accepting the award: He spoke of Kids for Peace, an organization that creates peace through youth leadership, community service, global friendships, and thoughtful acts of kindness. He quoted Gandhi, World Peace starts with Children. Kids for Peace, an organization founded by Jill McManigal was the winner of the first award in 2015.
 
The award ceremony concluded with Renuka Sethi presenting the perpetual plaque listing the winners of the Rotary Club of Carlsbad Peacemaker Awards to Club President Kevin Clark.