A long-time area volunteer was recently presented with a very special award in recognition of her dedicated service to the Rimbey Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).
Viola Schneider was presented with the FCSS Award of Merit for 2007 last November in Jasper after she was selected by the provincial arm of the organization as one of only six recipients in Alberta,
“Actually, it was the local FCSS board who nominated her,” said Peggy Makofka, executive director of the Rimbey FCSS. “They had to talk about it sort of behind Viola’s back, back in June when we first heard about the award. So myself and one other board member were supposed to put together the nomination but the summer went by really fast, so it was a bit of a last minute thing.”
Makofka and the board had plenty of reasons for nominating Schneider for the award, not only because of her desire to assist and volunteer whenever and wherever necessary, but also for her foresight and demeanor.
“Myself, I feel she’s worthy because I think she is born and raised in the community, she’s been married for over 50 years, raised a family and she’s got grandchildren now, she has played the piano and organ at the United Church for many functions over the years and she is one of the founding members of the Rimbey Community Home Help Services Association, who just celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2007,” Makofka said.
“She is one of the people who had the foresight many years ago, to think about setting up a non-profit society. I know, now that I’ve been working in this business for almost 17 years, I am very appreciative of those people in the early days that had enough sense to do the hard work in the beginning to get it set up, and it really benefits the community,” she added.
“I find her to be such a gracious person and always so cheerful and optimistic and kind. I know they’ve been involved with the Ag Society and, I think, the Rodeo Board a few years ago, and she is always there volunteering and helping,” Makofka added. “She’s also able to kind of speak up for the less-fortunate. She’s able to notice when somebody is maybe being left out or their particular problem or need is getting missed or fell through the cracks. She’s the kind of person that doesn’t mind stepping forward and calling attention to things that should be looked after. She’s very clever and very wise is what I’d say.”
Makofka added that she has been honoured to be associated with Schneider through the local FCSS, and others agree.
In a letters of reference provided by the FCSS offices in Lacombe and Ponoka to the provincial awards committee, Executive Director Joanne Comeau of Ponoka highly recommended the nomination of Schneider.
“I am very much aware of the contribution that Mrs. Schneider has made to the Rimbey FCSS and to her community,” Comeau wrote. “Her knowledge of the ideals and philosophy of FCSS is extensive and she had been an advocate for FCSS and it’s programs since the beginning.”
As for the award winner herself, Schneider said she was overjoyed with the announcement.
“I was nominated for the award by the board of the Rimbey FCSS. I was one of the ones chosen by the provincial FCSS. I was very honoured to have even been nominated by our local FCSS, but it was a real thrill to have been chosen as one of the recipients,” she said.
“I’ve been a volunteer on the FCSS board for over 20 years which I enjoy thoroughly, and I do some volunteering in the community also, and I believe it’s a way of life. I was just really thrilled and honoured to receive an award that recognizes that.”
Not only is she known for her years of dedicated volunteerism but she’s also rather well known for her musical prowess as a pianist and keyboard and accordion player.
“I also volunteer in the community with a music group that plays at the hospital, the manor, the lodge and we play at three different locations in Ponoka,” Schneider added. “Also, we have played in Wetaskiwin at several different areas. Music is, I guess, one of my God-given talents so I’m very happy to use it with the group I play with.”
She also took the time to pass along a few words of encouragement to the younger generations and urged them to step up to the plate when the need for local volunteers arises.
“I see volunteering as something that the younger generation should be looking at and that they don’t have to be paid for everything they do. Volunteering is a gift and a feeling in the heart, and I’d like to encourage the younger folks who do that,” she said. “I know in their busy lives it’s hard to say ‘well I’ll go and volunteer’, and a lot of them do at hockey and different activities that their children are involved in. But I would encourage anyone who is wondering what to do with their time to certainly try the volunteer area.”
“It was great for us because I’m sure my husband and I would never go to Jasper on our own and stay at the Lodge,” she said. “When I got the letter, they said they’d be phoning me from the provincial FCSS, and when they phoned and asked if I’d be accompanied by someone I said yes, my husband Frank would be coming. They said we will have a banquet ticket available for him to attend the banquet when you receive your award, so that was a special thrill.”
In closing, the ever-gracious Schneider turned the tables a bit and thanked those who made the nomination and the ceremony so memorable for her.
“I’d like to extend my appreciation for the support and for the friendships that I’ve made through the local FCSS organization,” she said.
As for the awards ceremony and the opportunity to stay in one of the country’s most glamorous hotels - the Jasper Park Lodge, Schneider said she most likely would never have spent an evening in such a posh place.