A Sundre-area volunteer is one of six Albertans recognized in a recent competition held by the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association (AWNA) and Direct Energy.
Sandra Smith from Harmattan won $1,000 to give to a charity of her choice, as a prize for being selected as a winner of the competition.
She chose to donate her winnings to the Cooking for Kindness program in Sundre, which provides a monthly complimentary lunch for seniors that is cooked and served by about 60 volunteers.
“It is just such a fantastic program. I mean today we'll feed 150 people here at the hall, plus we'll feed 45 people on takeouts at least,” said Smith during last month's luncheon on May 21.
“It just fills this huge need in our community. Not necessarily are people starving, but it's just nice to let our seniors enjoy an afternoon of socializing and it's a nice way to encourage them to get out and be with their peers,” she said.
“That's really what it was designed for. We just felt that some of our seniors were becoming homebound and there wasn't an activity that they really could just go out and not have to work at, and just totally enjoy.”
Although she lives in Harmattan, she says Sundre is her home community. She is 53 years old and has been volunteering for the program since its inception in 2009.
But she has been volunteering for various organizations and events in the community for more than 25 years.
Her sister nominated her for the AWNA and Direct Energy competition. The money will go towards purchasing food for the Cooking for Kindness program. Each meal averages $600 to $700, according to Smith.
There are about 60 active volunteers for the program and each month they feed about 200 people.
“I just think that it's important for everyone to volunteer. It makes you feel good and I think that it's important to give back to the community that's helped us along the way,” she said, as she started to tear up.
She was “thrilled” to be recognized and win the competition.
“I'm thrilled, I'm honoured, it was completely unexpected,” she said.
“I think it's just an indication of our community, how well received this is by the people that are here and also how well received it is by the volunteers,” she said.
“We never have to go looking for volunteers. They're calling us to say ‘can we come and help' and I just think that's incredible.”
Jo-Anne Happe from Direct Energy said all five judges of the competition picked Smith.
“Sandra not only makes up the monthly menus, purchases the food, assists with the preparation of it, but also coordinates the volunteers each month that assist with the meal,” reads a press release from Direct Energy.
“Sandra is a talented cook, but also has the ability to make each volunteer feel appreciated and valuable.”
