After 28 years, Al Blannin is retiring from her leading role with Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo.
Fellow board member, Marg Sarich, says the group will miss Blannin, both personally and for her strong leadership skills.
Blannin was recently made lifetime honourary director on the board for Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo.
The special presentation was made to her by 100 Mile House RCMP Sgt. Don McLean, her longtime colleague on the board, at the annual general meeting on Feb. 14.
Noting she is pleased, but didn’t expect this recognition, Blannin says she will miss her work with Crime Stoppers, which she founded in 1986.
“With my health being what it is, I knew I couldn’t carry on.”
Blannin will be moving to Kamloops next month with her husband, Jack, but she adds she will take along many wonderful memories of almost three decades of important volunteer work.
“It’s been very rewarding, and I’ve met a lot of wonderful people, locally and throughout the province.”
Blannin says she is leaving the Crime Stoppers helm in good hands, and she sincerely hopes McLean stays with the group for the long term, as he has been “a lifesaver” on the board.
Sarich has now taken over as its president, after four years as its treasurer and performing various supporting roles as needed.
Blannin’s leadership has been instrumental to the group and to her, Sarich explains.
“In her own indirect, quiet and assertive way, she has been grooming me to handle the position. She and I are the ones who have gone to the conventions for the last six or seven years.”
Blannin won the prestigious Crime Stoppers of B.C. President’s Award last year, which was another testament to her long service, dedication and hard work for the local group.
Sarich emphasizes the board’s appreciation for everything Blannin has done over the years, and her “strong, strong commitment” to Crime Stoppers of the South Cariboo.
“She has left us in good shape. Al’s a lifer with us because she was at the core. She built a great group – and there have been people come and go – but she’s very good at what she did.”
