Communities are built by volunteers and dedicated citizens.
From organizing events, to helping fundraise for facilities to coaching minor sports, there isn’t a growing town that can thrive without the help of civic-minded citizens.
Cochrane has no shortage of these dedicated individuals and some were honoured on Sunday as part of the town’s annual community awards.
Forty-five people, businesses and community groups were nominated this year for the town’s 13 award categories, celebrating notable employers, seniors, youth and more.
Mayor Ivan Brooker demonstrated the affect these dedicated people have on the community when he was moved to tears on two separate occasions during Sunday’s awards ceremony.
His emotional response illustrates how the passion and dedication volunteers put into building the municipality not only benefits the town but also fosters community spirit.
The 45 nominations, up from last year’s 28, also demonstrates how volunteerism is valued by the community as a whole.
From educators to advocates to business people and volunteer groups, everyone works together to make Cochrane an amazing and attractive place to live. That atmosphere is evident in the surging growth the town has seen over the past few years.
In his speech during the ceremony, Brooker echoed that sentiment and credited the volunteers for helping make council’s job of promoting the community easier.
In one of his emotional moments, pausing while he tried to speak through choked back tears, he also praised the community as a whole remembering how often he has been told by newcomers that Cochrane is a great place to live.
“More often than not what we hear the most is people saying, what we love the most is all the opportunities we are providing to families,” said Brooker.
Everyone has a part to play in maintaining Cochrane as a big town with a small-town feel and ensuring the community feels safe and welcoming with a lot to offer people from all walks of life.
Whether that is through educators who go the extra mile for their students with initiatives such as the Building Futures Program – this year’s Education Initiative of the Year; or businesses that exemplify customer service and community building such as Guy’s Café and Bakery – this year’s Business of the Year; or sporting groups like the Bow Valley Rugby Club – this year’s Ambassador of the Year – whose athletes exemplify Cochrane’s hospitality when travelling on road trips; or the Cochrane Society for Housing Options – this year’s Volunteer Group of the Year – that ensures everyone can enjoy a safe and warm place to live.
From young to old, the list goes on and we are blessed to have so many role models.
We are truly fortunate to live in such an amazing community as Cochrane. It is also great to see that our citizens do not take that good fortune for granted, evident by the growing number of nominees for the awards.
Congratulations to all the award winners and the nominees and a special thanks to all the volunteers and citizens who were not nominated, that put in many tireless hours making Cochrane the amazing place it is. Your passion and dedication are admirable qualities that should be emulated by everyone.
