It was apparent that Clyde’s volunteers of the year weren’t expecting to win any awards at the Ag 500 event last Saturday night.
Darren and Shonda Sawchyn were presented with the volunteer of the year award at the Clyde Ag Society’s annual fundraising banquet, and both had trouble finding words to describe how they felt.
“I don’t even know how to put it in words, I really don’t,” Shonda said.
“I never expected that, because I don’t see it as being to get recognition, just to go and do it.”
Volunteering is something that runs in her family, she added. While she was growing up she watched her grandparents being active volunteers, and it made a mark on her.
“Both my grandparents are World War II veterans, so it was just part of life,” she said. “Growing up, that’s just what you do.”
Darren spoke about the importance of volunteers to the community, but downplayed his own role.
“We just try to help out. It’s a small community, so we help out to keep everything going here and keep it up,” he said. “If nobody did it, the town would go down.”
He emphasized that while he and Shonda both but in some time, there are countless others who do their part as well.
“Everyone puts in their time around here, and we have fun while we’re doing it,” he said.
The Sawchyns were presented with the award by last year’s winners, Brad and Mel Nelson, who both spoke highly of the Sawchyn’s contributions in the community.
It may have begun with working at the school their children attend, but it has ballooned into a situation where they will help out anywhere and any way they can.
“Anything, any time they’re needed,” Mel said. “They’re in every group in town, on every board and just step up to do everything.”
Mayor Doug Nyal said the volunteer spirit has always been strong in Clyde, and that is a large part of what make the village the kind of community it is.
“Clyde’s been here 100 years this year, and it’s been the volunteers that have held it together and keep it moving forward,” he said.
With so many active volunteer groups — such as the Clyde Ag Society, Clyde Park & Play, the Centennial celebration group, the Clyde Summer Solstice organizers, volunteers in the school, the local fire department and the volunteers for the 55 Plus Summer Games last summer, it’s hard not to get involved.
“Everybody in the community volunteers at some point,” Nyal said.
“They’re the people who see something needs to be done, and make sure it gets done or organize people to get it done.”
Members of the Clyde Fire Department were also honoured at the event, including a special presentation to former fire chief Dale Ford who retired last year.
Unfortunately they were too busy volunteering to keep things on schedule — a fire call came in just before the awards presentations, so they all left the hall in a hurry.
