The Penfolds Receive Distinguished Citizen Award

BUFFALO, NY – The Canisius University Board of Regents will present Richard C. and Karen E. Penfold, with itsDistinguished Citizen Achievement Award at its 46^thannual Scholarship Ball on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at theHyatt Regency Buffalo. The Penfolds are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to the economic, civic and cultural welfare of the Western New York Region. The evening begins with cocktails at 6:00 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. The Distinguished Citizen Achievement Award will be presented at 7:15 p.m. 

“The Penfold name is synonymous with benevolence, as Karen and Dick, together with their children and family foundation, have left an indelible mark on many of the educational and Catholic institutions in Western New York,” says Richard Suchan, chair of the Regents Scholarship Ball. “Karen and Dick give unselfishly of their time, talent and treasure to support a vast array of worthwhile initiatives in our community and they have been especially loyal friends of the Canisius University community for many years.”

The Penfolds are the former owners of C.I.D. Refuse, a waste management company which they grew into one of the largest and most successful trash collection businesses in the state. The company was at the forefront of efforts to modernize recycling methods and eventually diversified into recycling centers, lease and management companies and a truck dealership. 

The Penfolds sold C.I.D. in 1998 and established the Richard C. & Karen E. Penfold Family Foundation Inc. The foundation is a principal supporter of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo, particularly its healthcare and educational institutions. 

As chair of the Kenmore Mercy Hospital Board of Directors, Dick Penfold guided a $22.8 million renovation project that revived the aging facility with new, private rooms, and new surgical, cardiac and rehabilitation units. 

Karen Penfold is a longtime associate of Sisters of Mercy. The diverse group of laity assists underprivileged women and children at Catholic healthcare ministries and educational institutions throughout Buffalo. 

The Penfolds also nurture the academic, spiritual and moral ideals of Catholic education. 

Their love and support for St. Mary’s High School, where the couple met, ensures a quality Catholic education, in which future generations of students will learn, grow and thrive in an environment of faith, excellence and inspiration. 

The Penfolds similarly bless Canisius University. 

Their wise counsel on the Boards of Trustees and Regents enabled Canisius to ascend into the top ranks of comprehensive universities in the Northeast. In 1998, the college dedicated the Penfold Commons in recognition of Dick and Karen’s generous support of the Imagine Canisius capital campaign. The multi-purpose space continues to be a popular gathering place for student activities. 

The Penfolds’ big-hearted benevolence is surpassed only by their myriad of smaller yet equally generous charitable endeavors. 

Dick lends his carpentry skills to help Viva La Casa and Gerard Place remodel their refugee and homeless shelters. Karen helps to secure funding for the priorities of Bishop Edward Kmiec as a member of the Bishop’s Council of the Laity. Together, the couple shares their vision, organization and attention to detail as chairs of fundraising events for the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, the American Heart Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

The Regents Scholarship Ball is the principal fundraiser for the Canisius University Board of Regents Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to promising young students who otherwise would not be able to take advantage of a Canisius University education. 

For more information about the Regents Scholarship Ball, contact Lainey Kempton, assistant director for events and stewardship at Canisius University, at 716-888-8228. 

Canisius is one of 28 Catholic, Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.