CARROT RIVER — A volunteer that’s active in local causes like KidSport and a program that provides food for students in need has been selected as Carrot River’s citizen of the year.
Bridget Holmen was presented with the award at the Carrot River Board of Trade’s Business Excellence Awards Gala held April 10. She said she was surprised to win the award.
“I didn’t actually think I would ever be citizen of the year, or even be nominated as citizen of the Year,” Holmen said.
Born and raised in Calgary, Holmen moved to Carrot River in 2001. She works as a substitute educational assistant.
She credited the award to how many hours she put into committees in the community, such as Blessings and KidSport. Blessings is a program where weekly food bags and school supplies are provided for students in the community, as well as school photos, on an application basis.
“Recently I fundraised for a family that has little boy that has cancer. I sold bracelets for them.”
Her fundraising started when she was around 14, and decided to start volunteering for the Special Olympics.
“I’ve always had volunteering in my blood ever since I was little,” Holmen said. “I just always felt I get such a reward myself for volunteering and that’s why.
“The reward is seeing how it helps people.”
She doesn’t know what inspired her to start volunteering that first time, but hopes it is passed on to her 11 year old son.
“Carrot River, I think, really does run on volunteerism. It’s such a strong community for volunteering. There are always people willing to step up and get things done.”
Bob Gagné, Carrot River’s mayor, presented the award. He said it was well deserved.
“She’s been involved in so many different organizations in the community, like she says, she’s in the background all the time and we don’t see her in the foreground,” Gagné said.
Other awards were also presented at the gala, which saw more than 150 attend:
- Carrot River Implements was presented the 2018 rural roots award
- Randie Kapeller of Carrot River Co-op was presented the 2018 student employee of the year
- Peggy Friske of the Carrot River Co-op was presented the 2018 employee of the year
- Perrin Electric was presented the 2018 business of the year
- The 2018 KCRA Outback Rodeo was presented the 2018 community event of the year.
The rodeo committee used the opportunity to announce the date of the next year’s rodeo, which will take place on Aug. 17 to 19.
