Once all the nominations were in, there was no doubt who would be given this year’s Boyle Community Spirit Award.
Long-time community volunteer Terry Mudryk-Harbarenko was presented the honour during the village council’s meeting last Wednesday.
“It’s a well-deserved award,” said Mayor Bob Clark in making the presentation.
“If there is something that needs a volunteer, Terry is usually in the middle of it”
Mudryk-Harbarenko is well-known for her work organizing the annual Bryan Mudryk Charity Golf Classic, but is also very involved with the Centennial trails, the Boyle Betterment Committee, the Boyle Ag Society and the Boyle Hospital Committee.
She was very humbled by the award and thanked the council members for selecting her.
For her though, it all starts with having a passion for the community.
“I’m blessed with the skills organizing and experiences for the last 35 years,” she said.
“When doing stuff, you have to look at the bigger picture as we are all in this together.”
With that said, Mudryk-Harbarenko believes she is just one of many that make things happen.
“Without all the volunteers working alongside me, who give their heart and soul, I credit them with this honour too since these great projects wouldn’t come to be,” she explained.
And for those that think they may not have what it takes or the time to help out in the community, she believes everyone has something to contribute.
“Everyone has skills, they just have to invest the time. A community that builds for future generations, make an impact bigger than they can imagine,” she said.
“Like the golf tournament, it gives hope though you may never meet them, but it makes a difference.
“But years later, you talk to someone that was touched by the work you did and you had no idea how much of an impact and difference your small part made in that person’s life. It really is a free gift people are thankful for.”
