Mountain View County resident Susan Page has been recognized as one of three recipients of the volunteers of the year award by the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions (CAFÉ).
The annual awards recognize volunteers from exhibitions and agricultural societies from across Canada who have been nominated by their peers as “unsung heroes.”
Page, who lives east of Didsbury, was nominated by her colleagues who volunteer with the annual Lone Pine Bench Fair.
She is among three national winners that have the opportunity to attend the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions annual convention, which will be held in Vancouver on Nov. 20 where they will be recognized for their volunteer efforts.
“I am just deeply honoured and overwhelmed. I can't believe it. I'm still trying to process it,” Page said.
Karen Oliver, executive director of CAFE, said the value of the awards is recognizing those that have put in a lot of effort and to also inspire others to do the same.
“One is certainly to give people a pat on the back for all they've done. I think everyone who's worked in a non-profit organization can tell you about the person who's always there, always willing to take something else on and always reliable. And sometimes those people get taken for granted and at a certain point they just burn out because they've done it for too long,” said Oliver.
“It also, I think, inspires other people who are attending the ceremony. They see these people, they hear about all the good things they've done and they think maybe I could do more.”
Page said she enjoys volunteering for the community and helping to organize an event that so many in the Lone Pine area enjoy. She's been volunteering with the Lone Pine Bench Fair for about 18 years and has been chairing the fair for the past 13 years.
As chair of the fair, Page coordinates about 12 other volunteers, edits the fair book each year and gets the Lone Pine Hall board involved with securing sponsorship for various categories of the fair.
“There's a lot of things that need to be done,” said Page. “I just love (volunteering with the fair). I'm active in the community (and) putting on something that's worthwhile. It's just quite an opportunity to be involved with the community.”
Page said the value of the bench fair is allowing as many people as possible the opportunity to show off their talents.
“There's something for everyone. There's flowers and baking and all kinds of crafts, and there's lots of classes for children to show off their talents,” she said.
In addition to recognizing the Canadian Fair champions in Vancouver, CAFE will also be hosting two-and-a-half days of seminars and workshops related to organizing fairs and exhibitions.
"I am just deeply honoured and overwhelmed. I can't believe it. I'm still trying to process it."Susan PageCanadian Fair champion
