As a testament to the incredible service to the community, The Rotary Club of Drumheller has narrowed down the list of its finalists for Citizen of the Year and Most Courteous Employee of the Year.
This years Celebration of Excellence is this Saturday, May 12 at the Badlands Community Facility and the two finalists selected for Citizen of the Year (in alphabetical order) are Trevor Gough and Maxine Popovich. Myrna Doktorchik and Keith Russell are the two finalists for the Most Courteous Employee of the Year.
“Of course not one of the people think they deserve te award,” said Rotary Celebration of Excellence committee member Bev Krabsen referring to each of the nominees’ humble attitudes.
She also notes that every candidate for the awards had a number of individuals, groups and organizations nominating them.
Gough was born and raised in Drumheller and is very community minded says Krabsen, committed to volunteerism. As an accountant he has used his skill set to bolster community groups and in the last five years he has served on 13 local organization boards, often in the capacity of treasurer.
“He has been described as capable, reliable, solution oriented and fun,” said Krabsen.
Long time Drumheller Resident Maxine Popovich has been in the valley for 70 years, and for many of those years, has been volunteering.
“She has touched many people’s lives in many ways due to her efforts ‘to do for others,’” said Krabsen, quoting from one of the nomination letters.
Popovich has been a member of Beta Sigma Phi for over 40 years, and served as president three times. For the last two decades she has been volunteering at the hospital, and visits the Continuing Care Unit almost every day to visit with residents. She is an active volunteer at The Knox United Church.
“One comment I really liked was ‘I believe her recognition will inspire others to do more for the citizens of Drumheller,’” said Krabsen.
Doktorchik is the Drumheller Co-op Home Centre manager, and is known to go above and beyond in providing customer service.
Krabsen relayed a story of a customer who ran short of shingles on a Sunday and were in a pinch. Doktorchik opened the store for the member on a day off andmade sure they could complete the job.
“When someone said, ’you really go above and beyond,’ she said, ‘It’s all in a days work’ and was glad to be of service,” said Krabsen.
Other comments were: “ She has a positive attitude, she rolls up her sleeves to get the job done.”
Russell is a long–time employee of The Town of Drumheller and is operations manager in the department of Infrastructure Services.
“Everything we ask is done in a courteous and respectful manner,” said Krabsen quoting his nomination. “He is described as one of the most valuable employees of the Town of Drumheller.
“One of the organizations that nominated him said ‘he has an interest in our success. He has a caring and knowledgeable manner and a cheerful attitude.’”
Citizen of the Year award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated years of community involvement and is currently actively involved in the betterment of the Drumheller community.
Most Courteous Employee of the Year displays a helpful and enthusiastic attitude when working with customers and shows initiative in going above and beyond what is expected of him or her as an employee.
The Rotary’s Celebration of Excellence is this Saturday, May 12 at the Badlands Community Facility. Cocktails are at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. Local entertainers, Aaron and Garrison Krabsen of the Cat Country Cougar Hunters and Chelsea Murphy, a singer from Rosebud, well known through the Drumheller and Area Music Festival will be providing entertainment.
Tickets can be purchased at SJ Fashions or from Barb Campbell at 403-823-3165.
