A Raven couple's devotion and commitment to the rural community, including countless volunteer hours for the ongoing maintenance of the historical Union Church, has earned them special recognition from the Spruce View & District Lions Club.
The club has named Jean and Arnold Kaiser Citizens of the Year for 2016.
“The Kaisers have been solid contributors across the full breadth of their community and genuine community builders,” said Kathleen Raines, a former citizen of the year recipient. “Jean and Arnold are good people, the kind of good people who believe in quietly contributing their time and talents to build the connections that keep our community strong and vibrant.”
The Kaisers moved to a quarter section of land just west of the Raven Union Church in 1981. The couple immediately embarked on a nearly 35-year journey that has quietly and humbly earned them the title of community builders.
“We have been pretty much involved since we got here,” said Jean, who has been maintaining the records at the church for the last 15 years, including burials and weddings. “When they came to me they were not totally complete, so I went through everything, cross-checked everything so I could get it as complete as possible.”
Jean noted she has personal historical ties to the church as she found out her mother was raised in a quarter section near their land, and that her parents played an important role in building the church in 1926 and bringing in ministers.
“So I had that attachment, even though I did no know it,” said Jean.
And while Jean was maintaining records at the church, Arnold was right beside her, volunteering his time to maintain the church grounds, including the cemetery.
But the couple's tireless volunteer efforts in the rural district were not just restricted to the Raven Union Church. No request for help was ever denied to anyone or any organization, a fact now being officially recognized by a grateful rural community.
“Together this dynamic duo has contributed to the neighbourly feel of local potlucks and various other gatherings by visiting, being supportive of community members, setting up, tearing down, serving food or doing dishes for events,” said club member Suzanne Levac. “No task is too big or too small for these pleasant, hardworking individuals. Without question they are excellent community contributors and citizens, valuable assets to any volunteer team and ultimately setting the bar high for citizenship.”
Arnold has also contributed to the community as a lay minister with the Christ Lutheran Church - Spruce View, and has been an active member of the Caroline Elks Club for the past 27 years as well as the Caroline Royal Canadian Legion for almost 40 years.
Jean is a past board member of the Spruce View Co-Op and current treasurer for the Christ Lutheran Church. She has handled secretarial and treasurer duties for Red Deer County's (Division 5) recreation and culture board. Jean has devoted countless hours preparing and serving lunch for funerals and weddings.
The couple has also made noteworthy volunteer contributions to the Henday Association for Lifelong Learning, Spruce View Parent Council as well as the library, Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society, Dickson Store Museum and Danish Canadian National Museum Society.
Even with all this past proven record of volunteerism and community building, Jean said she was surprised to receive the award, insisting there “are 100 other people” who would have been equally worthy recipients.
“It (community) is just full of volunteer people who just give their all to the community,” she said.
The Citizen of the Year awards to the couple will be presented on Jan. 16 when the Spruce View & District Lions Club celebrates its 38th Annual Charter Night.
Tickets are $25/person and are available from club members. For more information contact Suzanne Levac at 403-728-0138.
Kathleen Raines
"Jean and Arnold are good people, the kind of good people who believe in quietly contributing their time and talents to build the connections that keep our community strong and vibrant."
