Volunteers are the heart of communities and celebrating their work celebrates the cities, towns and villages where good things happen. The second annual Rivers West District for Sport, Culture and Recreation Volunteer Recognition Program was held in Marshall April 20. About 150 people were in attendance to enjoy the entertainment and dinner, to offer congratulations and to accept the awards presented in the categories of recreation, culture, sport and heritage.
Groups recognized for their achievements were the 2010 Unity Western Canadian Softball Committee in the culture category, the Paradise Hill Home and School Association for their Wellness Day as the culture event of the year, the Unity Cemetery Development Committee in the culture category for development and promotion, the Edam Community Centre for the recreation volunteer of the year and the Frenchman Butte Museum in the heritage category as museum of the year.
Colton Flasch was not in attendance but was the honoured athlete. Flasch is from Biggar and was nominated for his accomplishments as a curler. Edward Watson, a hockey coach from Eston and Wendy Wiens, a figure skating coach from Rosetown were honoured as coaches. Lance Dyer of Rosetown was presented with an award for outstanding officiating in gymnastics.
Avis and Harry Trumpf of Frenchman Butte were honoured as volunteers in the heritage category for community achievement. They were nominated by the Frenchman Butte Senior Citizens Club for their dedication to many community groups. John Hritzuk passed away last September but was also recognized in the heritage category for community achievement. He was a curler and bowler, involved in the golf course and the Elks Club among other things.
Six awards were given in the recreation category for volunteers of the year. Julia Night was nominated for her contribution to sport development in the Saulteaux First Nation Community. Night volunteers for the school and local sports teams and was praised as a role model. Lisa Haynes was described as a dedicated individual who does everything she can to ensure recreation will continue to thrive in Biggar. Haynes is involved in youth activities, community event organizing and sport. Aaron Lines was nominated by the Marshall Recreation Board for his decade of dedication and hard work at the Marshall rink. Michele Keith was recognized for her involvement in many sporting and community events in Biggar. Keith was praised for her organizational and fundraising abilities. Rhonda Patterson and Brenda Perlinger were not able to attend the awards but were also honoured for their dedication and creativity in serving the organizations they belong to.
Special recognition was also given to the young people and a coach from the district who competed in the Jeux du Canada Games in Halifax in February of 2011. Seventeen athletes and one coach from the region traveled to the games and ten young people and the coach attended the celebration where they were introduced and presented with a keepsake from the district.
The Rivers West District is a big area with a lot of heart and many people who make their communities better, more active places to live.
