The Lloydminster Lions Club recently celebrated its senior and junior citizens of the year, Otis Rusling and Kianna Wildeman.
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The awards recognize those who go above and beyond to improve the community. Many have years of volunteering experience.
Rusling, an active member of the community, says his busy schedule exists because of volunteering, not despite it. He says recognition is nice.
After moving to Lloydminster in 1978, Rusling immediately became involved in various community roles. He found more time to volunteer in the mid-2000s.
“I worked, but I retired and got involved in hockey,” he said.
His work spans multiple organizations and events. He’s a member of the Public Art Advisory Committee and the Friends of Weaver Heritage Park and helps run Border City Connects.
“After Glenn (Fagnan) passed in June last year, we realized how little we knew about how it ran,” said Rusling. “I’ve been working hard to ensure things ran smoothly.”
He called Fagnan, a former face of Border City Connects, a “special person.”
Rusling says many community groups, especially Border City Connects’ caravan program, are always in need of help.
“You never know what people can do to help,” he said.
He said if anyone is looking for other places to give time, the Friends of Weaver Heritage Park also always needs people.
“We need volunteers to do Festival of Trees,” said Rusling, noting they had volunteers to run the Tractors and Pie event as well.
He helped organize the Tractors and Pie event at Weaver Heritage Park this past weekend, which is part of a larger effort to support the Lloydminster Heritage Society.
Rusling views community service as a way of life. He grew up in a household of volunteers.
“My parents weren’t selfish, at all,” he said. “They gave to their community.”
He doesn’t see finding time to volunteer as an issue and certain moments stand out from his time giving back.
“Royal Bank Cup,” said Rusling without hesitation. “I’m big into hockey. The rink was full and the rink was loud … it was a heck of a time.”
Being a part of things bigger than himself makes him happy.
During the meeting, a loving nomination from Kianna Wildeman’s parents preceded her winning the award.
Wildeman, 20, has been helping others and giving back for as long as she can remember.
“I’ve been a Kinette kid all of my life,” she said. “Both my parents have been involved in Kinsmen Connects since I can remember.”
Wildeman recalls helping with numerous projects while growing up, including the building of the Kinsmen Park near her childhood home.
Her father, Darcy, who helped nominate her, says she even assisted with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the park.
However, over the years, she has contributed to numerous other Kinsmen events.
“I’ve helped with Christmas trees,” she said. “I’ve helped with the TeleMiracle that they hosted annually.”
She also volunteers at the Kinsmen Hall.
“I’ve helped with that ever since they’ve gotten possession of the place,” she said.
Wildeman has been active in Saskatoon District events for the past two years.
“I formed a new role called Junior Ambassador,” she said. “The goal of my position was to get my age group more involved.”
Wildeman tried to make the event more youth-friendly, explaining that she brought social media to it. She said older members did not always accept her ideas.
“I don’t know if any of you guys know what Snapchat is … that’s a very popular social media that my generation uses,” said Wildeman. “Having an older generation kind of … not frown upon, but just kind of put our ideas to the side, can be frustrating.”
But she pushed on. She believes young people want to help, but need support.
“There’s lots of other people like me,” she said. “They are just waiting to get involved.”
Engaging others to participate in giving back is something she has come to realize is challenging.
“It’s not easy,” she said. “I think making it not seem like such a chore to volunteer would help.”
Wildeman said it helps to show young people how much their work matters.
“Seeing what your contributions are doing for the community,” she said. “That’s very heartwarming.”
For more information on the Lions Club, the Citizen of the year award, and upcoming events, visit their website.
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