Even receiving top honours doesn’t slow Bernie Strachan down.
As she was being told Friday that she will be featured in the Vernon Winter Carnival parade as the latest JCI Vernon’s Good Citizen of the Year, Strachan was going through her hectic schedule.
“I’m supposed to be driving,” said Strachan, who generally operates a vehicle for the RCMP Community Policing program in the parade.
Strachan is so committed to her volunteer activities that she put her daughter, Jennifer, in a difficult situation because she thought she was late for a shift at the community policing office.
“She was encouraging me to run yellow lights to get here,” laughed Jennifer Strachan, an RCMP chief inspector in Ontario.
But as Bernie Strachan walked through the door, she was surprised to learn that she is the 2014 Good Citizen of the Year.
“I really don’t think — what have I done?” she said.
“It’s just a shock. A lot of people worked hard when we were raising our children. It’s now my chance to pay back.”
A retired nurse who has lived in Vernon with husband Jim since 1966, Strachan spent more than 4,000 hours helping the Kokanee Swim Club over 40 years.
She has also compiled more than 4,000 hours with community policing over 15 years.
“Bernie is my go-to person,” said Rachael Zubick, community policing co-ordinator.
“If I need someone, she’s here at the drop of a hat.”
Strachan was one of community policing’s first volunteers in 1999 and she represents the agency at numerous events as well as engraving skis at Silver Star.
“She gives so much to our community that people can’t realize and she doesn’t want the recognition,” said Zubick.
For Strachan, being involved in community policing is natural.
“We have RCMP members in our family and we know what their life is like,” she said.
Other community achievements for Strachan have been Vernon Tourism, farmers markets, Camp Hurlburt and Trinity United Church.
“She’s an incredible woman and supportive of people,” said Terri McKay, who has known Strachan for 35 years and nominated her for Good Citizen.
“What ever you do in your life, she encourages you.”
Jennifer Strachan flew into Vernon for the surprise and to celebrate her mom’s 81st birthday Saturday.
“She loves her community,” said Jennifer.
“She lives to volunteer. It keeps her young.”
Strachan and her husband have been positive role models for their three children.
“Volunteering has also lived on through her kids,” said Jennifer.
The Good Citizen award is presented by Junior Chamber International.
“After reading the nomination letter for Bernie, the selection committee was very moved,” said Kathleen Dubois, with JCI Vernon.
Besides riding in the Winter Carnival parade, Bernie Strachan will take part in a formal presentation at the Winter Breakout Feb. 11 at the Schubert Centre.
“Winter Breakout is a very special event for us at JCI Vernon,” said Dubois.
“We will be including Bernie in a very special club. We invite all past winners of the Good Citizen of the Year award to join us. We can’t wait for them to meet.”
Tickets for Winter Breakout are currently available at the Vernon Winter Carnival Society office.
