Local resident and Athabasca town councillor Lionel Cherniwchan has been recognized for his contribution to the Athabasca community with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
ìItís an honor to receive the award and to be nominated,î Cherniwchan said. ìBut to be recognized for oneís community service that one has put in, itís humbling to know that someone in your community recognizes the worth.î
Cherniwchan said he is just one of many volunteers in Athabasca.
ìThere are so many deserving people in this community, when you look at the volunteering and all that goes on.î
Cherniwchan first moved to Athabasca in 1969, and immediately set about becoming part of the community.
ìI look at the community now, and how it has grown and how my family has grown, I look back and say that I was part of it,î Cherniwchan said. ìI helped with friends of mine, and we built the swimming pool, the Nancy Appleby Theatre, and everyone did their bit.î
Cherniwchan said all the volunteering makes a better community.
ìWith this award, that is what it is doing,î he said. ìItís recognizing what youíve done for the community.î
He stated that he was no different from all the other people who have volunteered over the years, but that he has just been singled out.
ìWhen you live in a community, you become part of the community, and you do what everyone else does,î he said.
ìI have been fortunate enough to be recognized. I am very honored and very humbled by that.î
From the time Cherniwchan moved to Athabasca, he was involved in the community. He coached hockey and baseball, was involved in the scouting movement, helped with the building of the theatre and swimming pool, and the expansion of the golf course.
Cherniwchan was instrumental in relocating the Senior Citizenís Society to their present location, and helped with the relocation of Athabasca University to the Town of Athabasca.
On the afternoon of Feb. 22, 37 people received their medals in a private ceremony at McDougall Centre in Calgary, and Cherniwchan was one of them. The presentations were made by Lieutenant Governor Donald S. Ethell.
ìThe Diamond Jubilee Medal is a way to recognize those among us who have made a lasting contribution to the quality of life we are fortunate to enjoy as Albertans and Canadians,î said Lieutenant Governor Ethell.
