While Cochrane is known for its vibrant volunteer scene, four generous residents were celebrated beyond the town’s borders this week as they received one of Canada’s most respected volunteer honours.
On Tuesday, Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell presented 26 Albertans with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, a recognition first presented in Ottawa in 2016 to highlight the contribution Canadian volunteers make to a wide range of community organizations.
The Sovereign’s Medal replaces the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award and is part of the National Honours System. Mitchell made the presentations on behalf of the Chancellery of Honours.
“It is such a wonderful pleasure to present these medals,” she said to a gathering of volunteers and their family and friends gathered at McDougall Centre in Calgary. “You people are truly exceptional.”
Ann Beatty accepted her medal for her work as chair of the Cochrane Activettes Food Bank — in particular, Mitchell singled out Beatty’s efforts to partner with other organizations to expand services and include milk into hampers for those in need.
Beatty said she humbly accepted the medal on behalf of all volunteers in the group.
“It’s a great honour, but it’s more of the whole Activettes. Everybody’s dedication to the community is great … There’s a real feeling of camaraderie and friendship (in) the group,” she said. “Our motto is ‘working together to help the community.’”
Jeff and Theresa Vandergeest moved to Cochrane earlier this year from their tiny town in British Columbia to be closer to their daughter, who lives in Calgary.
Though they now call this province home, Mitchell presented each with a medal for their previous personal contributions in Yahk-Kingsgate, a tiny community of just 400 people south of Cranbrook.
“They’ve moved from B.C. to now be embraced by our Alberta spirit,” she said.
Jeff was a lead craftsman of a volunteer crew that proposed, designed, planned and built various projects for the town’s recreation complex, and Theresa helped organize the Yahk Community Centennial Celebration and took part in craft fairs and Christmas sales as secretary of the Yahk-Kingsgate Recreation Society.
The Vandergeests eased up on their duties in recent months as Jeff has been battling cancer. Now, with the disease in remission, they hope to find their own place in Cochrane’s vibrant volunteer scene.
“We always enjoyed our volunteer work,” said Jeff. “You make a lot of friends.”
“It keeps you young,” added Theresa with a smile.
Robert Wambold was the fourth Cochranite to receive a medal from Mitchell for his work both here – with Cochrane Search and Rescue, the RCMP Auxiliary Constable program and the army cadets – and as president of Calgary Search and Rescue, a complementary organization to Cochrane’s crew.
“It’s a way for me to give back to the community,” said Wambold. “I find that you get back what you give. I’ve gotten some amazing opportunities … just helping others. To me, it makes a huge difference.”
