On a quiet Wednesday evening in February, Dr. Ron Schlegel stood in front of the gazebo in the Town Square of The Village of Winston Park to receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal, which honours Canadians who have had a ‘significant contribution to Canada or a province/ territory, region or community in Canada.'
As Valerie Bradford, Member of Parliament for Kitchener South-Hespeler, said prior to presenting the medal, “Ron has done all of those.”
“To me,” MP Bradford said, “the King Charles III Coronation medal is a way to recognize outstanding individuals of all ages and from all walks of life who have made a difference in their communities.”
Before serving as a parliamentarian, MP Bradford worked with the City of Kitchener and watched as the Schlegel family’s vision for community growth expanded locally, so she knows well how Ron has always worked quietly “behind the scenes” in the service of others.
Ron has always been a community builder, and Winston Park, which opened its doors in 1992, represents a key foundation of Ron’s vision brought to life. More than 30 years later, Schlegel Villages has grown to 18 long-term care and retirement homes, and the vision continues to spread.
As Ron explained, the vision goes beyond enhancing the lives of seniors, which has been close to his heart since he was a boy carrying meal trays to the residents of the small nursing home his father opened in 1953.
Beyond Schlegel Villages, Ron and his family own and operate Homewood Health, Schlegel Urban Developments, Schlegel Poultry and the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA).
“In all we do, we strive to offer our neighbours support,” Ron said. “We design and create walkable, liveable communities; with our agricultural roots in Schlegel Poultry, we offer healthy food for Canadians; we help our neighbours overcome their struggles with mental health and addiction challenges through Homewood Health; and in the RIA and at Schlegel Villages, we’re helping to enhance the lives of our elders, here and across the country.”
With his extended family at his side, Ron humbly accepted the King Charles III Coronation Medal with gratitude, committed as always to carrying forth in his efforts to inspire positive growth, locally and across the nation.
