In honour of Canada's 150th birthday, MP for Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan, Tom Lukiwski, joined other MP's in celebrating local unsung heroes in our communities.
It started with Lukiwski asking locals to nominate outgoing individuals in the community. Asking for people to nominate community volunteer workers, fundraisers, service members, athletes, public service workers, volunteer firefighters, leaders in agriculture, and any other outstanding citizens.
With an abundant amount of nominations coming in from across the constituency, Lukiwski had to turn some down due to the limited amount of medals. On another note, this is a good thing, as it shows how many people work to support their communities and improve others lives.
On Saturday, November 4th, the big day came as a couple hundred people arrived to personally accept their medal or view the event.
The ceremony itself moved along quite fast as close to eighty people had arrived to receive their 150 medal from Lukiwski himself.
"Every recipient that I've talked to is extremely pleased and extremely proud at the fact that they received a Canada 150 middle and they should be proud because they deserve it," said Lukiwski.
Recipients were called upon to receive their medals, and recognized on how they contribute to their community. It was also a rather diverse group in age, which goes to show that working to improve the community even touches youth.
Many recipients were surprised by their nominations, most of which tried to tell Lukiwski that others are more deserving than they are.
It is a shock though, as former Mayor and medal recipient Deb Higgins even said she was almost shocked when she found out she was a recipient.
"I was a little bit surprised because you don't get into activities in the community, whether elected as I was, for the recognition," she said. "You do it to help contribute to your community and your area and hopefully make improvements that are felt by the community as well. I was surprised when the letter came."
As the ceremony wrapped up, many were free to do what they wanted to do. They could go home with their head held high, talk to our constituency's MP, or talk with and learn from other recipients.
"You know, it was a really nice opportunity to see, gosh, a real variety of people across the constituency of Tom Lewkiwski that contribute to the community," said Higgins, "Being recognized with this award. It was a very nice event."
With around eighty recipients able to attend, and close to 20 more who we're not able to make it, it's hard to learn about them one by one.
View below to see the full list of recipients, their community, and their accomplishment.
Alphabetical Order
ACTON, Carol- Moose Jaw- Past Director for Hunger in Moose Jaw
BARBER, Vern- Lumsden- Community leader, sports coach
BEAR, Darcy, Chief- Whitecap- Service in elected office
BEITEL, Roger- Briercrest- Community volunteer
BOUGHEN, Ray- Moose Jaw- Service in elected office
BOYKO, Marlene- Caron- Ladies Auxiliary, Providence Place
BRANDON, Matthew- Silton- Dealing with challenges of autism, honourary member of the RCMP
BRAUN, Patricia- Raymore- Silver Cross mother
BRKICH, Greg MLA- Bladworth- Service in elected office
BROWN, Jeffrey- Milestone- Active community organizer and volunteer
CAMERON, Eunice- Regina Beach- Volunteer local church board, councilor for AA in Correction Centre (Regina), municipal government
CAMPBELL, Dale- Strasbourg- Community leader
CHOW, Kerry- Caron- Legal career, community service
CLARKE, James- Avonlea- Community volunteer, Avonlea Lions member
CURRIE, Gord- Moose Jaw- Longtime member of the Friendly City Optimist Club of Moose Jaw, District Governor of the Optimists, Coach - youth hockey and baseball, organized the Optimist All-Stars Night raising money for various charities.
DeLAET, Dennis- Davidson- Kinsmen 30+ years, Longtime Referee (Davidson), Golf course Executive
DEVINE, Grant- Caronport -Former Premier of Saskatchewan, service in elected office
DRAPER, Carol- Buena Vista- Active volunteer in local church and community, shares musical talents with various groups, events and organizations, library board and municipal government
EASON, Tyler- Avonlea- Volunteer at rink, school, sports events
FIRBY, Barry- Kenaston- Former chair of Super Draft, Kenaston Hockey Pool, , Activist
FONGER, Merv- Moose Jaw- Curling coach for 1992 Canadian Juniors, 1993 World Silver Medalists, 2011 Canadian Scotties Champions, 2011 World Silver Medalists, member of Multiplex Builders Committee
FORRESTER, Shannon-Rouleau- Lead on the Spray Park and other community projects,
FROEHLICH, Carrie- Marquis- Community service, volunteer
GARRATT, Lyle- Milestone- Community business leader, instrumental in developing rural fire department, longtime Elks member
GASPER, Ron- Marquis- Public service, community volunteer
GATSCHENE, Bryan- Buena Vista- Member of Lions, volunteers with Easter Seals, MS Society, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, ABEX award winner
GEISLER, Cathy- Avonlea- Volunteer to Avonlea and District Museum
GILROY, Robin- Moose Jaw- Community business leader, contributor to charitable organizations
GROSENICK, Don and Glennys- Briercrest- Active community volunteers in both Briercrest and Blue Hill communities
GUIDOS, William- Moose Jaw- Education and community leader
GUILMETTE, Elaina- Kenaston- Service on the Parks and Recreation Board
GUST, Erin- Davidson- Active community volunteer/fundraiser, serves on many Organizations/Boards, instrumental in new Pool fundraiser
HALSTEAD, Brett- Nokomis- President, Canadian Canola Growers Association
HANMER, Brad- Govan- Agriculture innovator, community leader
HANMER, Ron- Govan- Business, agriculture and community leader
HANSEN, Allan- Rouleau- Active community volunteer for rink and sports grounds
HENRY, Neil- Milestone- Community Leader and Volunteer
HIGGINS, Deb- Moose Jaw- Former Mayor of MJ, service in elected office
HOLIZKI, Carol- Briercrest- Briercrest and District Museum, community volunteer
HOLLEMA, Darryl- Avonlea- Lion member for 17 yrs, integral part of recycling project for 12 years, member of Curling Rink Board & then combined Rink Board for 12 yrs, member of the Fall Fundraising Committee raising money for new Hall, served multiple other boards, 25.5 yrs on the Volunteer Fire Dept.
HUYGHBAERT, Yogi- Glentworth- Service in elected office, former Snowbird Commander
JAMESON, Bill- Moose Jaw- Community business leader, contributor to charitable organizations
JOHNSON, Paul- Moose Jaw- Service to the WDM, MJ (artifact restoration) and volunteer at Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum
JONES, Shelley- Moose Jaw- Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, agriculture advocate
KAMPEN, Jake- Moose Jaw- Active, long time volunteer at Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum
KAZEIL, Kirby- Strasbourg- Business Leader, President Last Mountain Valley Business Association
KOSIOR, Grant- Moose Jaw- Business and Community Leader
LABUICK, Roy- Moose Jaw- Royal Canadian Legion, 15 Wing Fellowship
LAMONTAGNE, Garry- (accepting on his behalf: Terry Lynn Rodelbronn and Brian LaMontagne)- Buena Vista- Community and Business leader
LaMONTAGNE, Shayne- Regina Beach- Fire Chief - Regina Beach Volunteer FD, Instructor at SVFFA Fire School, has been with the FD for 18+ yrs
LAWRENCE, Greg MLA- Moose Jaw- Service in elected office
LEWIS, Cameron (Cpl)- Moose Jaw- Fundraising through MJPA to help support youth sport, Special Olympics, MJPA Scholarships, helped in the creation of the MJPA Bike Park,
LINE, Patricia- Airdrie, AB- Community leader
LOBBES, Cor- Clavet- EMO Coordinator, Cpt and volunteer for fire departments, active community volunteer
LONIE, Glen- Moose Jaw- Community and pastoral service
MACHMER, Patricia- Spring Valley- Employee, volunteer at Claybank Brick Plant Heritage Centre
MAIER, Hilda- Claybank- Claybank Brick Plant Heritage Centre
MARR, Douglas- Moose Jaw- 15 Wing Fellowship, former Honorary Colonel 15 Wing, active on many boards in MJ
McIVER, Rae- Moose Jaw- Community volunteer and activist
MICHELSON, Warren MLA- Moose Jaw- Service in elected office
MICKLEBOROUGH, Taylor (Sgt)- Moose Jaw- Fundraising through MJPA to help support youth sport, Special Olympics, MJPA Scholarships, helped in the creation of the MJPA Bike Park, work
MIKULCIK, Larry- Saskatoon- Local theatre involvement, instrumental in developing memorials to fallen soldiers locally and abroad
MONK, Ronald- Regina Beach- Women's softball coach, Hall of Fame inductee (Prince Albert), senior organizations
MUIRHEAD, Gerald- Moose Jaw- Community leader, Craik and area. Service in elected office
NAISMITH, Belinda- Moose Jaw- Wife of Capt Kevin Naismith who died in a training exercise south of Moose Jaw in May 2003.
NELSON, Walter- Avonlea- Founding president Palliser Wheat Growers Association, tireless advocate for marketing freedom
NELSON, William- Avonlea- Community business leader
NESTMAN, Lisa- Briercrest- 4-H leadership
O'HANDLEY, Dan- Kenaston- Long time volunteer hockey coach, Mayor of Kenaston for 20 years
OHRT, Alan- Milestone- Fundraiser for new football field
PERKIN, Amanda- Rouleau- Instrumental in Spray Park and other community projects
PETRUIC, Cameron- Avonlea- Community business leader
PROHAR, Derek Lieutenant-Colonel- St. Albert, AB- Recipient Medal of Military Valor, Meritorious Service Medal, military service in Afghanistan
RANDALL, Robin- Calgary, AB- National water polo olympic player, coach
REEVES, Jean- Hanley- Volunteers and operates senior programs
RIECKEN, Chris- Avonlea- Volunteer FD 17 yrs, Lion member 15 yrs, integral part of recycling project over 12 years, member of Curling Rink Board & then combined Rink Board for 15 yrs, involved with Riderville and Centennial Committees,
RODGER, Patti- Avonlea- Work in education, community volunteer
ROSSLER, Adolph (Al)- Moose Jaw- Active church Volunteer. Fundraising through MJPA to help support youth sport, Special Olympics, MJPA Scholarships, helped in the creation of the MJPA Bike Park, active in the Knights of Columbus
SCHESKEARE, Chad (Cst)- Moose Jaw- Fundraising through MJPA to help support youth sport, Special Olympics, MJPA Scholarships, helped in the creation MJPA Bike Park,
SCHICK, Robbin- Moose Jaw- Founder Business Women's Club of Moose Jaw, MJ Health Foundation board member
SCHRINER, Brent (Warrant Officer)- Bushell Park- Volunteer and Commissioner - St John Ambulance, Has visited all of the families of our fallen soldiers who died in Afghanistan.
SCHULTZ, Carol- Strasbourg- Former Mayor of Strasbourg, community improvement for several initiatives
SIEBERT, Beverly- Milestone- Community volunteer
STARKES, Leroy- Lumsden- Provincial and national volleyball coach, international volunteer volleyball official, fundraiser for Lumsden Library
STEINLEY, Warren MLA- Grand Coulee- Service in elected office
STEVENS, Tanner- Avonlea- Volunteer, active in 4-H
STEWART, Lyle MLA- Pense- Service in elected office
THERRIEN, Diane- Moose Jaw- Initiated Relay for Life in Moose Jaw, active volunteer and organizer for many events in MJ
TOWNSEND, Andrea- Hanley- Heads Ag Society in Hanley, active volunteer
WIENS, Jim and Michelle- Moose Jaw- Volunteer and coaching of Moose Jaw Judo Club
WILDEMAN, Brad- Lanigan- Agriculture, community leader
WILLIAMSON, Scott (Sgt)- Moose Jaw- Fundraising through MJPA to help support youth sport, Special Olympics, MJPA Scholarships, helped in the creation of the MJPA Bike Park,
WILSON, Vivian- Moose Jaw- Active volunteer at Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum
WOOD, Levi- Regina- President Western Canadian Wheat Growers, and their rep on Canada Grains Council
YOUNG, William- Lumsden- Donations (assets) to Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum
YUKE, Rick & Joanne- Moose Jaw- Worked tirelessly to raise money for Spinal Muscle Atrophy SMA as they lost a daughter, Hannah, to the disease. Organized annual event called Hannah's Gala that raised awareness and funds to support SMA Research. The final Gala was this past year. Support many community events by donating their time.
ZOERB, Sandra- Davidson- Volunteer "Community in Bloom", Author of Local History