Little things can mean so much.
Louise Murphy of Black Diamond received a Foothills 150 Canada medal during a ceremony last week, but much like the other 149 recipients, she is having a tough time figuring out why.
“I am quite surprised actually — John Barlow (Foothills MP) himself phoned me to tell me personally,” said Murphy, at the ceremony on June 28 at High River’s Highwood Memorial Centre. “I guess it is for some of the volunteer work I do in Black Diamond.”
Murphy’s volunteering was similar to the work of a Stanley Cup champion trainer — important but flying well under the radar of the likes of Sid Crosby (there was one Stanley Cup trainer among the 150 recipients, Okotoks’ Jim “Bearcat” Murray).
“I volunteer for some of the seniors at the (High Country) lodge in Black Diamond,” Murphy said. “I change their batteries in their hearing aids, make their beds, take them to errands…”
The trips range from taking residents to hair appointments to bridge games at Valley Neighbours Club.
It was part of paying it forward.
“I lost my husband in ’04,” Murphy said. “I was down in the dumps and all of these people supported me.
“They were there for me and I saw people that needed help and I have been doing it ever since… I love it here (Black Diamond).”
Okotoks’ Karen Fox was recognized for helping her neighbours in a time of need.
Fox, a teacher at Notre Dame Collegiate in High River, gathered a small army of friends to help that community after the 2013 flood.
“I reached out to my friends in Okotoks and Calgary to come down and help,” Fox said.
She continues to help.
“In my personal life and my life at school I am working fundraising for a school project in Madagascar,” Fox said. “And I am also there.”
She is also involved in helping at the Okotoks St. James Parish.
The Foothills 150 medals were given to recipients from across the Foothills riding – from Waterton to Bragg Creek. Amazingly, 133 of the 150 recipients were in attendance.
“It is amazing as to how many of you I spoke with over those two or three evenings said: ‘No, it’s not me, you must be thinking of someone else,’’’ Barlow told the recipients. “That is why you are so special. You don’t do what you do for recognition or special awards.
“You’re humble. You do it because you are passionate about your community. You love your friends, neighbours and family.”
The Foothills area recipients are:
Okotoks: Tara Antoniszyn, Brad Banister, Gordon Phillip Berberich, Bernie Brown, Kathy Coutts, Marg Cox, Andreas Dauter, Linda Duncan, Karen Fox, John Fraser, Catherine Gibbs, David Gilbert, Don and Rae Gilbert, Mary Isabelle Gillard, Andrew and Shari Gustafson, Jim Hansen, Ursula Hoppenheit, Sandi Kennedy, Bonnie Kentch, Allen King, Shannon Kleibrink, Timothy D. Korthius, John Lockhart, Kelly Logan, Bill McAlpine, Wayne Meikle, Al Millard, Bearcat Murray, Jean Quigley, Doug Ramsay, Todd Reidlinger, Paul Rockley, Edward Sands, Terry Siqueira, Eric Wasylenko, Mary Weir Donaldson, Karen Wight, Gerry Wood
Foothills: Robin Arthurs, Al Baldwyn, Donna Buckland, Gerald and Sandra Bull, Anna De Paoli, Norma Dawson, Diana Froc, Shelley Hilderman, Frances Jackson Dover, Jacqueline Nelson, Lynore Park, Bill and Judi Powell, Cathie Scattery, Travis Thiessen and Jennifer Thompson.
Longview: Michele Geistlinger, Ivor McCorquindale,Tom and Shannon Kirk and John Scott.
Blackie: Joanne Gourley and Fred Woods
Black Diamond/Turner Valley: Tony Campbell, Barry Crane, Malcom Hughes, Bill Jackson, Michel Jackson, Louise Murphy, Robert Nelson, Tonie Ruskowsky, Patricia Webb, Ida Wegelin, Beverly Vetters, Virginia Yarjau
