KIPLING — A winter storm kept Kipling residents Mona Lynn Stender and Pat Jackson from attending a ceremony in Stoughton back on Feb. 1 where the pair were to receive King Charles III Coronation medals for their contributions to the community. They were to join a group totalling 21 for the ceremony, but only 14 were able to attend due to the weather.
So, Souris-Moose Mountain MP Dr. Robert Kitchen came to them.
In a small ceremony last Tuesday, March 4, Kitchen officially feted the ladies with their medals in person at the Kipling Community Centre.
“Your dedication and selfless service to others is commendable and has not gone unnoticed,” Kitchen said to Stender and Jackson during the presentation. “It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge your accomplishments by presenting you with this medal. In honour of the King’s coronation, 30,000 Canadians were selected to receive this medal. May you be proud to be recognized as one of those deserving individuals.”
Jackson was nominated for her dedication to the community of Kipling, especially at the municipal government level.
“As a retired teacher and a resident of Kipling for 40 years, Pat has served the town with unwavering commitment for two decades as a Counsellor and Mayor,” explained Kitchen. “Her leadership has been instrumental in driving positive change and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Additionally, her seven years as the director for the southeast region of SUMA have further showcased her passion for public service. Pat’s selfless contributions and years of devoted service make her a discerned recipient of this prestigious honour.”
Stender is also a retired teacher and was recognized for her dedication to the arts in Kipling.
“She has devoted years of promoting and supporting the arts in the community,” Kitchen said. “As a founding member of the Kipling Arts Council, she has helped organize and curate numerous art exhibitions, cultural events, and educational programs that have enriched the lives of countless individuals within this region. Mona Lynn’s passion for the arts is truly inspiring.”
In total, Kitchen was given 21 of the commemorative medals to present to people in the Souris-Moose Mountain riding.
“This riding is so huge, and we survive so much on volunteers that are there,” he said on the importance of volunteers in the community. “And it’s not just in my riding; it’s throughout the country. Volunteers are such a tremendous thing.”
In presenting the awards, Kitchen was able to meet with people from various realms of volunteerism.
“There’s so many different avenues that we see in the arts and culture, in various service industries, the service groups, the Commissionaires, etc. that come step up and do the service that they provide,” he said. “To me, the sign of a true volunteer is they are volunteering not for the reward of a medal or anything, they volunteer because it comes from their heart. And that’s the part that we forget, and the unfortunate part in the role is that I should be giving these to everybody.”
With such a large riding, Kitchen knows many people deserve such an honour.
“We look at Kipling, you look at Coronach, you look at Whitewood, all those communities don’t survive without people stepping up,” he said. “Whether it’s at the rink serving the food when people come in for a hockey tournament, or during a Canada Day for a Canada Day Parade—people getting out and doing those things. That’s such a tremendous aspect.”
Jackson agreed with Kitchen’s sentiments, expanding on how recognition ought to be spread around.
“This medal should be cut in little, tiny pieces and go out to literally hundreds in the community,” she said.
Stender also felt that communities could not thrive without those special individuals behind the scenes.
“Small communities would not be here without volunteers, and they make up such a wonderful part of the community,” she said. “So to be singled out is a special feeling, but I wish we could share it with all the musicians in town, all the organizers, all the leaders, and certainly all the service people who do so much selfless work. There are so many volunteers that we’d love to recognize and share this with them.”
One common thread woven through volunteers no matter what their background is the virtue of humility. They are the type of people who are first to stand when there’s a project that needs to be completed, but also tend to shy away from the spotlight.
“I do see many who they don’t want that recognition,” Kitchen said. “Ultimately, I think the people that benefit from the service that they provide all appreciate it. They just need to actually turn around and say ‘thank you.’ It’s two words, very simple: thank you.”
