Steven Vanee of Citizen of the Year Award sponsor Westco Construction presented the 2025 award Thursday night to Niesje Vanden Dool.
Niesje Vanden Dool was delighted to be among such impressive company when she was nominated as Fort Macleod’s 2025 Citizen of the Year.
“It was just so special to be nominated,” said Vanden Dool, who on Thursday was announced as recipient of the Citizen of the Year award. “Looking at the list of nominees gives you an idea of the caliber of people who really step forward every day.”
In addition to Vanden Dool, the 2025 nominees included Bev Jestin, Ellen Potvin and Mackenzie Hengerer.
“We see that all the time in this community,” Vanden Dool said. “What makes this community so great is that people really do work better together.”
The Chamber of Commerce presented the awards Thursday during a gala banquet at the Fort Macleod and District Community Hall.
Also honoured on Thursday were Junior Citizen of the Year Nevayah Fox and Senior Citizen of the Year Bob Gunn.
Awards were also presented to Scougall Motors, Large Business; MA Catering Co., Small Business; Hilltop Dairy, Agricultural Business; Fort Macleod Library, Community Enhancement; The Penalty Box, New Business; Logan and Caleb Vanden Broek, Young Entrepreneur; Marian Beusekom, Employee Service; and Curbside Cuts, Home-Based Business.
The inaugural Becky Housenga Rural Roots and Community Spirit Award was presented to Cecilie Fleming.
“Being nominated for a Chamber excellence award is an achievement in itself,” said Chamber director Shayla Farough, who was master of ceremonies. “It means your work, your leadership and your commitment to this community have been recognized by those around you.”
“Every nomination represents dedication, resilience, innovation and a genuine investment in making Fort Macleod stronger.”
In announcing the Citizen of the Year, Farough reflected on the words of the nominator.
“Niesje is a dedicated and tireless contributor to the Fort Macleod community, serving in numerous roles,” Farough said.
Farough said Vanden Dool encourages other people to get involved and has been instrumental to the groups she serves.
“Niesje’s commitment, leadership and community spirit make her an invaluable asset to our town,” Farough said.
Vanden Dool recognizes there is value when people in the community work together on projects and initiatives.
That’s part of what motivates Vanden Dool to volunteer her time with a variety of groups, including Kids First Family Centre, F.P. Walshe school fund-raising foundation and the Royal Purple, of which she is chair.
Vanden Dool and husband Bob Rippin also help out with Minor Soccer, the Fort Macleod Skating Club and other activities in which their children are involved.
“We’ve always really appreciated the characteristics of Fort Macleod,” Vanden Dool said. “It’s why we moved here, it’s why we stayed here, and it’s why we’ve raised our kids here.”
“You know, any of the volunteer work that we do, it’s always about kind of giving back to the community and building a better community, and showing our kids what community is all about.”
Vanden Dool said the volunteer work her parents did was a big influence in her life.
She developed an appreciation of the value volunteering has in a community.
“In a small town like Fort Macleod it is easy to have big benefits with a little bit of work. Volunteering really pays off.”
