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26 • COMMUNITY LEADER AWARDS THE BRANDON SUN • THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017
Award nominees and their families listen to speakers during the 2017 Brandon Sun Community Leader Awards at the Victoria Inn on Wednesday. (The Brandon Sun)
A community of leaders
BY MATT GOERZEN our community. The hour-long finances — back into the Sun reporters to get our such people, whose exemplary and work with them.
awards event, which took place community that supports nominees and award winners work and dedication often goes To all of you who lend their
What does it mean to be a in Brandon’s Victoria Inn, them. Or a classroom full of to open up about themselves. unsung. Indeed, Brandon and
community leader? celebrated some of this enthusiastic young kids who They felt — quite rightly — Westman at times seem neighbour a hand or take time
community’s best, with want to make the world a that their work is built and reluctant to honour the best out of your day to make a
It’s a difficult question to greetings from Brandon West better place and who find ways solidified upon the actions and among us. And that’s a pity. difference — big or small —
answer, in part because there is Progressive Conservative MLA to make a difference. efforts of other men and we need you.
so much variation — so many Reg Helwer, and a statement women in the community. As a community we need to
ways to make significant and of support from Brandon Yet there are also Why do they deserve sing their praises to help them And we thank you.
lasting contributions to our Mayor Rick Chrest and community leaders born of recognition, they ask. understand just how much
community. circumstances beyond their their efforts mean to all of us » Matt Goerzen is the managing
control, when ordinary people Our community is full of who know them, love them editor of The Brandon Sun.
Community leaders are men come up against extraordinary
and women of good Brandon-Souris Conservative events, and find within
conscience in our society who MP Larry Maguire. themselves the courage to act.
take on leadership roles The Sun received more than And then, in the wake of those
because they can see a need, 70 submissions in 11 categories circumstances, bravely march
and feel the need to act. They for the 2017 Community forward carrying the physical
understand the fact that a true Leader Awards, with and emotional scars that have
community doesn’t exist — submissions from across changed their lives forever.
indeed, can’t exist — without western Manitoba. As part of They may not believe
citizens who step up to make the process, our selection themselves to be leaders in our
that society work. committee ranked each leader community, but by their
in their respective category — actions they prove otherwise.
They can be our friends and Coach, Teacher, Courage &
parents, our brothers and Bravery, Above & Beyond, Our seniors need to be cared
sisters, our coaches and Emergency Services, Service for and aided when accessing
teachers, doctors and nurses, Organization Volunteer, Youth government programs. Our
and our sons and daughters Volunteer, Volunteer, youth need guidance and role
who step up to give of Environmental Leader, models to excel in sports and
themselves for a worthy cause. Community Builder, Seniors’ in the classroom. And any
They knock on doors to raise Advocate and an overall community needs trustworthy
funds for charity, or give of Community Leader of the individuals who sometimes
their time to help their Year. don’t sleep on their behalf, so
neighbours. As you can read in today’s its members can rest easy.
awards section, the winners
They are volunteer and runners-up have so many These are people of passion,
firefighters who go through different reasons for staying and empathy who exemplify
exhaustive training to keep motivated. There’s a man who integrity, dedication, and a
their community safe. Mentors gets involved in coaching sports belief that acting in service to
who help promote tolerance, because his son is involved — others is a rewarding
kindness, fair play among our and coaching becomes a new experience all on its own. They
youth and lead by example. passion in his life. A retired are volunteers, motivators and
teacher who witnesses first- community boosters who get
They are all these things and hand those seniors who are in to make a difference in the
so much more. need of advocacy and decides everyday lives of other people.
to put her life skills to a new And when people step up, they
On Wednesday evening, The and justified use. get noticed.
Brandon Sun celebrated its In the business world it takes
inaugural Community Leaders people who invest their time Oddly enough, most of them
Awards gala, which we created and patience — and yes, don’t want recognition. In
to honour the actions of several many cases, it was difficult for
individuals who have made a
difference in some way within
Brandon West Progressive Conservative MLA Reg Helwer brings greetings from the province during
the 2017 Brandon Sun Community Leader Awards at the Victoria Inn on Wednesday. (The Brandon Sun)
