They may not consider themselves to be superheroes, but the Battlefords has its own "Dynamic Duo."
Just as Gotham City has Batman and Robin, North Battleford has Rob Rongve and Heath Gabruch, whose tireless efforts to get things done for their community have earned both of them honours as the Battlefords co-Citizens of the Year for 2012.
"It's not something we definitely thought would happen, but it's really an honour and very humbling to be selected together," said Gabruch.
"It's very much an honour," said Rongve, "It's very humbling."
It's the first time two individuals are being jointly honoured with the Citizen of the Year title, but nominators felt the two are deserving because of the efforts they have collaborated on together throughout the community.
Most recently, they had taken on the dual role of co-chairs of the Raise the Roof fundraising committee for the Credit Union CUPlex, leading the team responsible for raising $10 million for construction of the four components.
The two learned of their honour in separate phone calls from Glen Gantefoer at work. Rob Rongve got the phone call first with the good news. Meanwhile Heath was talking to a client.
"It was kind of humorous," said Rob, who went out into the hall to see Heath's reaction when Gantefoer phoned him. Gabruch said Rob was "looking at me waiting for Glen to say it, so he could catch my reaction."
"It was cool, and emotional as well," Rongve said.
Both say they were never motivated by thoughts of honours or awards in the community activities they have participated in. "It's the furthest thing from your mind," said Gabruch.
Rongve adds, "that's not why we do anything that we've done over the years. We've just always done that stuff, I guess."
Being selected jointly is something both are proud of. "To be able to have it selected together is one of the biggest honors for me," Gabruch said.
When the Citizen of the Year selection committee met, nominators especially pointed to Rongve and Gabruch's efforts as co-chairs of the CUPlex fundraising campaign. That effort was a success, with the $10 million goal being reached in September.
"I am aware this is an unusual submission, as to my knowledge never have two individuals been honoured in the same year," noted Mayor Ian Hamilton in his nomination submission.
Hamilton went on to refer to both Rongve and Gabruch as "go-to guys in our community."
"Our community is indebted to these two for compiling, leading and inspiring a great team of fundraisers to rise to the challenge of raising sufficient community support to enable the development of these facilities that will provide recreational and cultural opportunities to the city and district for generations to come."
But they have devoted their time to more than the CUPlex, contributing to many programs throughout the Battlefords. Each has served on the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, including terms as president. Other volunteer efforts include the Battlefords United Way, KidSport, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Battlefords and District Community Foundation, Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation, the Lions Art Auction, and elsewhere.
Rongve has been active, along with Jana Friedenstab and other individuals, in efforts to establish a volleyball program in the community, also serving as coach. He currently serves on the board of the Dekker Centre. Gabruch has been active in the Kinsmen Club and is a driving force with the Kinsmen Rodeo.
The two say they first met while serving at the Chamber of Commerce and quickly joined the executive.
They both realized, said Rongve, they were similar in many ways. "That's how we kind of realized that working together you can accomplish so much more," noted Rongve.
They started working on Chamber initiatives together, initially working to get the Immigration Resource Centre up and running.
They also are working together professionally at RBC Dominion Securities, providing wealth management services to a variety of clients, and their close relationship has carried on to their work in the community.
Among their activities was founding the Battlefords and District Community Foundation. They and Hamilton were involved in getting that foundation up and running.
Gabruch explained one of the reasons it was established was to create an independent entity for raising money for the CUPlex so people would "feel maybe more comfortable donating to raise money for the CUPlex,"
Once they realized how much was involved in running a community foundation, they added more people to get it up and running and the organization has been able to provide funding for a variety of people and causes.
Gabruch calls it "one of the greatest things that we've been able to do is create a foundation that creates philanthropy within the community and leaves legacies for people."
They also worked with Bill Volk on the Taste of Culture committee to get that event going, and both are now on the committee for KidSport in the community.
They remain involved in the CUPlex. Both are excited about one of their latest projects: co-chairing the gala committee for a major event in May, 2013 at the Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts. Headlining that event will be comedian Shaun Majumder.
The goal of the event will be a familiar one for Rob and Heath - raising money for the Dekker Centre, only this time it will go towards defraying operating costs.
Many from the CUPlex fundraising committee are also involved in that effort, with the plan to make the gala an annual event.
"It's going to be awesome," Rongve promises.
The two have fond memories of their involvement in the CUPlex fundraising committee and the lasting friendships they created, and are happy about getting them back together for the gala.
They credit that team for persevering and reaching the ambitious $10 million fundraising goal for the CUPlex.
Getting there proved tough, though, and Rongve admitted to times when he had thoughts of throwing in the towel.
"There were those days when I was going 'oh God, I don't know if we can make it,'" Rongve said. He pointed to Gabruch as the driving force for keeping them both motivated to ensure the goal was reached.
"Heath is the one who never wavered," said Rongve.
CTV anchors Rob MacDonald and Chantel Huber honoured both as Home Town Heroes for that CUPlex effort in September on the day the $10 million goal was reached.
The Battlefords United Way honoured Gabruch as their Volunteer of the Year at their spring meeting in 2012, while Rongve was honoured with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in July.
The two also have wives and families, and say they could not have been able to give back to the community without their understanding and support.
Rob is married to Nora and has two daughters; Heath is married to Colleen and has one daughter. They say giving back to the community has been a positive influence on their children as well and has motivated them to give back.
"They put up with way more than we realize at the time," said Gabruch.
"There is no way we would be able to do the things we would have done without their support. Both of our wives deserve a medal, too."
