Terrance Haxton, 71, celebrated a birthday and received the Senior of the Year Award all in one week.
“I guess that officially validates the fact that I’m a senior,” Haxton said with a laugh over coffee.
Nominated previously for two Cochrane Community Awards – Community Builder and Citizen of the Year – this is the first year Haxton was won a town award, which he received last Sunday for “truly representing the spirit of the community.”
The retired principal has been involved on a number of boards during his 40 years in Cochrane but he is best known for creating the Helping Hands Society of Cochrane & Area in 2007.
“I came to the realization I didn’t want to work anymore but I will never stop volunteering,” Haxton explained.
“Helping Hands is my baby.”
With the growth of the non-profit, under the umbrella of Cochrane Family and Community Support Services, Haxton said he created Helping Hands as a way to bring volunteers together.
“It’s expanded and it’s exciting – it offers an incredible opportunity,” Haxton said.
Now the organization has an array of programs including semi-annual food drives, Christmas Hampers, Newcomer Helper programs, Snow Helper programs and the latest opportunity the Meal Team, which invites groups to make meals for families in need.
In addition to creating one of the best-known volunteer organizations in town, Haxton was also started the Lindsie Haxton Legacy Library Collection at the Parent Link Centre in memory of his late wife.
The couple met at the Elbow Valley School in 1975 and married a year later. Haxton said that one of the last assignments his wife had was working with children with special needs at the Elizabeth Barrett Elementary School in Cochrane.
Lindsie died three years ago.
“Lindsie was absolutely incredible. She was an educator, an author and she loved people,” Haxton said with a smile.
The library collection was created as a resource for parents who had children with disabilities or special needs. Haxton also donates annually to the library to continually update resources.
“When you have a child with disabilities you need all the support you can get,” Haxton explained.
“FCSS and the Parent Link Centre have been so incredibly supportive and they’ve honoured Lindsie’s memory beautifully.”
The senior of the year explained when his wife of 37 years was taken at “such a young age” he learned to embrace life as there were “no guarantees.”
“My friend once explained to me, they said, ‘The first half of your life you are always seeking and striving for success then the second half of your life you are seeking significance and want to make a difference.’ Well, this award says you did make a difference for people in this community,” Haxton said humbly.
“This was really special and a wonderful birthday present.”
