What do you get when you combine a soccer aficionado with proven servant leadership, deep respect for nature, and a desire to uplift and motivate children for the future betterment of society?
The owner of Queen Creek’s Cold Stone Creamery, of course.
Joe Kolnick fits the description of many of the categories for the Queen Creek Hometown Heroes Awards but would like best to be described as a mentor. Kolnick has volunteered in communities, including Queen Creek, for over 35 years, coaching soccer to over 25,000 players, from pre-school beginners to top college, pre-Olympian, and professional athletes.
His soccer days started at the age of 10, he says, beginning as a “form of meditation, something I could do by myself and much better than sitting in front of a TV.”
He has used that early experience to teach other coaches the game as well as players of all ages. He says he feels folks need to do a better job supporting local kids, we all need to be role models.
The Queen Creek Independent is pleased to announce Joe Kolnick as the July 2021 Hometown Hero bestowed in the category of mentor and coach.
Kolnick was nominated by his employee, Kennedy Hartman, one of three triplets who have held a shift leader position at his Cold Stone store in the Town of Queen Creek. As this location celebrates 15 years in the community, Kolnick adds that he’s had the opportunity to mentor many of his employees as well.
Kolnick’s zest for community service stems from the example set by his parents, he says.
Growing up in Hinsdale, Ill. he watched his mother volunteer at the schools and in the community and learned his work ethic from his father and grandfather, both bricklayers in the town.
Learning from their example, he hopes to honor those lessons by paying things forward. He feels his move to Queen Creek 18 years ago was a natural progression from one great community to another.
“There’s no shortage of good causes to support, we go out of our way to help others,” he said.
In his time here, either personally or through his Cold Stone Creamery business, he has supported over 250 local nonprofits and causes, including House of Refuge, Best Buddies, the Lions Club’s Leader Dogs for the Blind, and many more. He especially enjoyed volunteer training at the Barney Family Sports Complex for six years.
As a musician, he has helped support over 16 music programs in addition to more than 20 elementary schools, at least seven high schools, and has volunteered his time with the Queen Creek Parks and Recreation Department.
A husband and father of two, Queen Creek resident and business owner, volunteer and public servant, coach, and youth advocate, Mr. Kolnick plans to continue giving back and Queen Creek will continue to benefit.
The Queen Creek Independent, along with East Valley Institute of Technology and Queen Creek Olive Mill salute Mr. Kolnick as this month’s Queen Creek Hometown Heroes Awards recipient.
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