Lorette Penn and Tom Bachynski won the Citizen of the Year titles at the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards on March 22.
Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett brought them on stage, alongside seven other nominees, in front of the close to 150 guests and local business people gathered at the 100 Mile Community Hall, and bestowed the two longtime residents with the honour.
It was a total “surprise” says Penn, a first-time nominee who moved to the South Cariboo in 1974 and started volunteering around that time with the Lady Lions, before joining the 100 Mile Lions Club.
“I think I forgot to say thank you to all the nominees the other night,” Penn says with a laugh.
“I was not expecting that at all. Those other people were worthy of the award as well. It wasn’t just me.”
Penn also volunteers with Crime Stoppers, and hockey fans would recognize her from the rink, where she sold programs and worked the booster table at 100 Mile House Wranglers games this season.
She explains her volunteer workload isn’t “too bad,” but adds the fall is a busy time as she goes from local business to local business looking for donations for an annual Lions Club auction.
Volunteering with these organizations is a way for her to connect with people, Penn says.
“I don’t do it for recognition. I do it because I like working with people. I’ve worked with people all my life.
“I think 100 Mile is a beautiful place to live,” she adds.
“I thank all the merchants for supporting the Lions Club and the Crime Stoppers group. Remind them we’ll be around again in September and October asking for donations.”
Bachynski moved to 100 Mile House from the Okanagan 16 years ago. Like Penn, it wasn’t long before he started giving back. The community “pulled him in,” he explains, and he wanted to help make it a better place to “live, work and play.”
In the past, Bachynski was part of a group that looked to get the South Cariboo Rec. Centre built, and he helped organize baseball and minor hockey activities.
More recently, the 100 Mile House Wranglers Club president was instrumental in bringing a Junior B hockey team to town. The team recently wrapped up its inaugural season in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League to much fanfare.
(The Wranglers also won Best Marketing & Promotion and the Community Inclusion Award at the Chamber event on March 22.)
“What the town accomplished with the Wranglers is truly phenomenal, and I get to wear that badge of honour,” says Bachynski, a three-time nominee for citizen of the year.
“Rightly or wrongly, I accept it. But it’s a community that created it. It’s a bit humbling.”
To be recognized in this way is special, Bachynski adds.
“I want to thank everybody I’ve worked with over the past 16 years. It’s certainly made my life richer and more complete. I cherish every moment I’ve had with everyone.”
