Saskatchewan residents recognized for exemplary volunteer contributions
Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty presented the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers to 19 individuals on behalf of Her Excellency the Governor General at a ceremony at Government House in Regina on Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 2:00 pm.
“These impressive volunteers have donated their time in diverse ways, but share in common a desire to improve their community,” said the Lieutenant Governor. “I congratulate each recipient on this well-deserved recognition and I thank them for their inspiring example of service.”
The Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers honours individuals who have demonstrated passion, dedication and commitment to their communities through significant, sustained and unpaid voluntary contributions. Through their efforts, they have made a difference in fields including the arts, organized sports, youth and community organizations, and social issues. Their achievements include long-term, significant fundraising or lifetime dedication to service within community organizations.
Award citations attached.
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For more information, contact:
Carolyn Speirs
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
306-787-6460
carolyn.speirs@gov.sk.ca
Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers Recipients
Ron Blechinger
Regina
For more than three decades, Ron Blechinger has maintained several local cross-country ski trails through the Regina Ski Club, ensuring skiers and outdoor enthusiasts from all walks of life can enjoy the snow all winter long. Since 2008, he has also been promoting the arts as a board member of the Regina Lyric Musical Theatre.
Sabrina Cataldo
Regina
For more than a decade, Sabrina Cataldo has been using her talents in communications to support the efforts of Regina Cat Rescue and Carmichael Outreach. She has also enhanced the vibrancy of the local arts scene as a volunteer with the Regina Lyric Musical Theatre.
Mary Lynne Golphy
Davidson
For more than 30 years, Mary Lynne Golphy has been volunteering with Girl Guides of Canada in various roles, such as guider, district and division commissioner, division treasurer, and product marketing advisor. The local Trefoil Guild, of which she is currently president, provides gifts and care packages for elderly citizens and the homeless, and also hosts bingo games at the seniors’ residence in Saskatoon.
Susan Graham
Regina
For nearly two decades, Susan Graham has been bringing live entertainment to local residents as a board member of the Regina Lyric Musical Theatre. She has helped the theatre reach its fundraising goals, and ensured its productions and performances ran smoothly while she continued to donate her time to other organizations in the community.
Russ Hart
Regina
For more than three decades, Russell Hart has served as a board member of the Phoenix Residential Society, providing oversight to this community-based health care and rehabilitation organization. Thanks to his efforts, the organization has expanded its capacity to offer a safe and supportive environment to people with disabilities.
Dave Hedlund
Regina
For more than two decades, Dave Hedlund has been contributing to Regina’s music scene through his work with the Regina Symphony Orchestra (RSO) and the South Saskatchewan Youth Orchestra. Most recently, he conducted historical research that will help preserve the legacy of the RSO for future generations.
Kathy Hillman-Weir
Regina
Since 2009, Kathy Hillman-Weir has been helping to connect youth in her community of Regina, Saskatchewan, to the performing arts. Her service as a board member with local theatre and arts organizations has ensured young people have access to performance opportunities by providing stewardship and oversight to the organizations.
Brad Hrycyna
Regina
Since 2007, Brad Hrycyna has been devoting his time to commemorating and supporting veterans in his community. He organizes celebrations and exhibitions through the Royal United Services Institute of Regina to ensure veterans’ service is remembered, and helped raise over $20,000 for the Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund.
D. Michael Jackson
Regina
Since 2005, D. Michael Jackson has been a committed board member of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada at Massey College. Serving as president since 2018, he has organized several conferences to provide interested Canadians with information on the Crown, the monarchy and the Commonwealth in a Canadian context.
Hilary Johnstone
La Ronge
For close to three decades, Hilary Johnstone has been committed to ensuring the success of cross-country ski athletes in her community of La Ronge. Her efforts have contributed to the success of racing teams and, in her role as a coach, she has provided high-level training to athletes of all ages and abilities.
Bill Kalmakoff
Saskatoon
For more than two decades, Bill Kalmakoff has served as a community representative at province-wide culture meetings of the Saskatoon Doukhobor Society and the Doukhobor Cultural Society of Saskatchewan. He has promoted public awareness of and fostered a greater appreciation for the contributions of Canadian Doukhobors.
Krishan Kapila
Regina
Since 2011, Krishan Kapila has been bringing members of his community together through the Hindu Samaj Society of Southern Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Youth Visual Art Project. In 2017, he initiated a video project that saw 86 youth join forces to create a 45-minute video about their hopes and dreams for Canada.
Sandra Kerr
Saltcoats
Sandra Kerr has been actively preserving the heritage of Saltcoats since 1985. Her involvement in program planning, exhibitions and fundraising, in addition to her work on various committees with the Saltcoats Museum, has ensured that the history of the region is maintained for future generations.
Carol LaFayette-Boyd
Regina
For 15 years, Carol LaFayette-Boyd has been celebrating, researching and preserving the history, heritage and contributions of people of African ancestry through the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum. Her efforts have helped strengthen the role of the museum in the community, and have fostered understanding and inclusivity throughout Regina.
Sid Robinson
La Ronge
For two decades, Sid Robinson has been organizing cross-country ski events and clearing trails for the La Ronge Ski Club. He helps maintain the Club’s 50 kilometres of well-groomed trails to guarantee a successful season and, as the organizer of the annual Saskatchewan Cup, he coordinates the successful participation of 75 ski racers and 300 school students in the event.
Neil Sawatzky
Regina
Over the past decade, Neil Sawatzky has been bringing celebrations, fundraisers, arts events and festivals to his local communities. He has helped raise over $176,000 for local charities as a member of the Royal Road Race organizing committee, while his efforts as a board member of RuBarb Productions has brought live theatre to the residents of Moose Jaw.
Darlene Stakiw
Yorkton
For five decades, Darlene Stakiw has been contributing to culture, health and recreation initiatives in her community through several local and provincial organizations, including the Yorkton Mental Health Drop-in Centre, and the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan. Her contributions enhanced recreational programming, provided safe health care to those suffering from mental illness, and promoted multiculturalism.
Edward Willett
Regina
For more than 30 years, Edward Willett has been supporting the Regina Lyric Musical Theatre, through roles including publicity director and president. His efforts with social media initiatives and program design have contributed to the success of the theatre in providing the community with entertainment and cultural events to the community.
Janet Wilson
Regina
Since 2003, Janet Wilson has been helping to bring live theatre to her community through her efforts with the Regina Lyric Musical Theatre. As president, she has helped ensure the organization’s ongoing financial and operational success, and has contributed her talents to productions by serving backstage in numerous capacities.