Carol Huisman was one of five finalists for the 2008 volunteer citizen of the year award presented by Direct Energy.“I feel very honoured,” Huisman said. “I will cherish this for the rest of my life.”
Huisman was nominated for the provincial volunteer citizen award for her work with the Fort Macleod Kids First Family Centre and other organizations. The plaque was presented during the school’s year-end assembly by Frank McTighe, editor and publisher of The Macleod Gazette and a director with award co-sponsor, the Albert Weekly Newspapers Association.
“It is my distinct pleasure this afternoon to present an award to a very special lady from Fort Macleod,” McTighe told staff, students and members of the public.
Direct Energy, supported by the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association, each year sponsors an award that recognizes outstanding volunteers in Alberta.
“Volunteers are people who give freely of their time to projects that improve the lives of people in our communities,” McTighe said. “They do the work they do for free. The only payment they receive is our thanks.” McTighe explained to the students Huisman has volunteered for 10 years — longer than most of them have been alive — with the Kids First program that runs breakfast and lunch programs at the three Fort Macleod schools. Huisman also volunteers with other Kids First programs such as Secret Santa and Community Kitchen.
In addition Huisman, who was nominated by Kids First director Sharon Brown, volunteers for her church, the Salvation Army and the Pincher Creek Emergency Women’s Shelter.
“This woman also quietly finds out who in the community needs help, and then goes into their homes to do housework, prepare meals and do other tasks,” McTighe added. “For all this, she expects nothing in return.” The W.A. Day school students rewarded Carol Huisman with thunderous applause as she came forward to accept the plaque.
The 2008 Alberta Volunteer Citizen of the Year is Vic Sadlowski of Bonnyville.
Other finalists were Vivian Tanasichuk of Lamont, Donna Grainger of Calgary, and Raymond High School Show Choir directors Susan Williams, Pat Leavitt and Jolene Paxman.
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