Hats off to all recipients of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, but especially to our local friends and neighbours who have been recognized in such a special way for the tireless and valuable volunteer contributions. It is especially heartening to see so many names of folks I describe as “doers”.
Nothing has changed much over the years since we began to acknowledge that “the squeaky wheel gets the oil”, and the people who take leadership positions typically get the most credit. They are, of course, vitally important, but so are the folks less enamoured with spending time in meetings and more enthusiastic when it comes to rolling up their sleeves and tackling the dirty work with a “git ’er done” attitude.
For me, the inclusion on this list of several couples is heartwarming. How many times have we seen a person being put into the spotlight, knowing that his or her spouse makes equal or greater contributions, but in a more quiet way?
As I read through the descriptions of award recipients, I couldn’t help but smile. “For the past 10 years, Terje Munkerud has volunteered his time with the Creston Therapeutic Riding Program as a caretaker. He has also assisted with renovations for the past three years at Spectrum Farms, a not-for-profit farm established to provide work for persons with disabilities.”
True enough. But I have known Terje for most of my nearly 37 years in Creston, and during that entire time I have known him as a volunteer of the “doer” sort. He doesn’t have much patience with sitting a table and talking about process, but when it comes to putting on a pair of work boots and rolling up his sleeves, Terje is often found with his buddy and highly honoured volunteer Alex Nilsson at his side. And Chris Munkerud has been much the same for the entire time, using a different skill set to help with causes for which she has a passion. Chris is a writer and photographer who has used her talents to help numerous organizations share their stories. Chris and Terje aren’t often seen together in their volunteer capacities, but quietly and steadily they have set an example for others to follow.
Likewise for the Syroteuks, Jean and Merv, who jumped into community life with enthusiasm and effectiveness when they arrived here more than a decade ago. They lead by example, and are living proof that smiles are of great value.
Nicole Nilsson, wife of the aforementioned Alex, is another of the “quiet volunteers” who is happier to work in the background, taking care of details and working alongside others. While she might be best known as Alex’s supporter on his cross-Canada skiing odyssey and long-distance running and cycling marathons, Nicole has quietly and steadily made a difference in many different areas.
As has Julie Ewashen, who used her nursing background to help with important endeavours, and her enthusiasm for young people to organize the Youth Advisory Council. There is a common thread that runs through all of these selections — service with a smile — and Julie’s is undiminished.
Eric and Donna Kutzner are a remarkable couple whose volunteer efforts must seem at times like full-time jobs. Under their very effective, and very quiet, leadership, Spectrum Farms has become a great community asset with a bright future.
Tanna Patterson has been a friend for almost our entire time in Creston, and she hasn’t lost an ounce of enthusiasm for the environment over the years. For many of us, Tanna serves as our environmental conscience. Whenever I am confronted by environmental issues, I find myself thinking, “What would Tanna do/think/say?” Her husband Gene, also a close friend, would also have been a worthy recipient, for his work with Creston youth and minor baseball and his shared interest in environmental causes.
Dollie Kaetler is another tireless volunteer who does everything with a smile. She is a regular and welcome visitor to the Advance office, where she picks up donated stamps, which are put to good use and redirected from recycling bins.
Not many bring as much to the table as Heather More, whose financial skills and business acumen have helped with a variety of social causes, including low-cost housing. She tackles issues with determination and savvy, never losing sight of the big picture while dealing with important details.
Gertie Brown made the transition from business to volunteer look easy. When we first met she was shrugging on a gold Century 21 jacket, and she has been an asset to the Creston Valley ever since. With boundless energy and enthusiasm, Gertie dives headlong into whatever she is doing.
Thelma Johnson has been a key player at Gleaners for more than a decade, and is equally at home sorting and pricing items as with the business of one of Creston’s greatest assets.
Still to receive their awards are another couple, Signe and Ken Miller, both of whom have made volunteerism a full-time effort. They have been valued leaders in countless organizations, and neither are content to sit and let others take responsibility. They are a rare team who are as comfortable with committee work as they are with getting out and doing the grunt work.
I have commented over the years that we need to be better at acknowledging the contributions of our friends and neighbhours while they are still alive. Too often we save our thanks for their funerals. The Governor General’s Caring Canadian Awards serve well to shine a light on some of our very best. Thank you to all recipients for your contributions.
Lorne Eckersley is the publisher of the Creston Valley Advance.