Marni Fedeyko originally got into volunteering four years ago in Cochrane as a way to meet people and give back to the community.
Now as one of the lead organizers for some of the biggest volunteer-run events hosted in town, including Cochrane Light Up, Fedeyko was recognized for her hard work when she was named Citizen of the Year at the Cochrane Community Awards.
“It is pretty humbling to win an award like that, there are tons of people that do a lot of stuff in Cochrane as far as volunteering goes and I mean, I am just one of those people,” Fedeyko said.
“Cochrane has a ton of heart and I think it is important for everyone who lives here to give back to the community in any way they can.”
Fedeyko was nominated for the award because of her “tireless” volunteering efforts.
“Marni is a fantastic member of the community, she goes way above and beyond when it comes to community participation and works in so many different way to improve Cochrane as a whole,” the nomination read.
“She (is) a community events co-ordinator, member of her community association, fundraiser, poll creator, and advocate of Cochrane and puts in many hours of volunteer work to bring about positive changes.”
Fedeyko is one of the co-lead organizers for Cochrane Light Up (summer and winter), spearheaded the inaugural community cleanup earlier this year, and also recently partnered with another volunteer to bring Women Empowering Women, a monthly fundraiser to bring women together for an evening and leave them feeling “empowered and inspired” – to name a few.
“I started volunteering when I moved to Cochrane and part of it was when I moved here I didn’t know anyone living in Cochrane and I really thought that volunteering would be a great way to meet people,” Fedeyko said.
“It has not only allowed me to meet a ton of fantastic people in town but I’ve gotten to know fantastic business owners and it led me to my job … so for people who wonder if volunteering is beneficial, it is.”
Fedeyko said she has no plans to stop volunteering anytime soon, and she hopes to pass those values onto her three children.
“For myself and my family, I really try drive home how important it is to give back,” Fedeyko said.
“As much as I make jokes that I will make a T-shirt that says ‘Citizen of the Year’ it is a pretty big compliment for someone to take the time to vote for me, but I certainly could not do a lot of things I do without the help of others. It is not just me, there is a ton of people who lent a hand to help me and my (events) would be impossible without the support.”
Fedeyko was selected as Citizen of the Year after being nominated by Cochrane residents and chosen by a selection committee.
