The Olds Rotary Club honoured Fern Olson on Saturday as the Humanitarian of the Year for 2011 for her many years of volunteer work in the community.
Olson, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday, visits the Olds Hospital and Care Centre on a weekly basis. Among the many volunteer activities Olson has contributed to, she sang in a church choir for 40 years, volunteered at the Olds Fair in the exhibits, and judged the 4-H public speaking event. Other events she participated in included volunteering for the Ride For Sight and the senior summer games. She also initiated story hour at the Olds Municipal Library.
Olson worked for many years at the OML and the Olds College Library, and also served on the Parkland Regional Library board.
Olson was also a member of a local women's institute for over 45 years, volunteered for the Kiwanis Music Festival for 10 to 12 years and played the bugle at Remembrance Day ceremonies for about 20 years.
Olson also lent her talents to young musicians for many years, teaching them the finer points of playing trumpet.
Following her award presentation, Olson said it was a humbling experience.
“I really don't think I deserved it, although it was nice to win,” she said, adding that her interest in helping others was what motivated her to volunteer.
Olson said the variety of volunteer activities she participated in made it a lot of fun to give her time – whether it involved literature, music or seniors.
Regarding her lengthy volunteer record spread out over decades, Olson said she just took each activity as it came.
“I just went from day to day,” she said.
Olson said being included with the other honourees at the event was great.
“I was very honoured because they are very deserving people,” she said.
"I really don't think I deserved it, although it was nice to win."Fern Olson, recipient, Humanitarian of Year award
