Longtime community volunteer Joyce Bueckert has been named the 2022 South Cariboo Citizen of the Year.
Bueckert was visibly moved as she accepted the award from South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce president Donna Barnett at the Party in the Park concert Saturday night. The crowd was energetic and loudly cheered on the presentation and award.
“It was awesome. I was so surprised and it’s so humbling. It’s such an honour just to be nominated but then to actually be chosen (as Citizen of the Year) is so humbling, it was really something,” Bueckert said. “I’m just very honoured.”
Since returning to 100 Mile House in 2006, Bueckert has been the treasurer for the 100 Mile Hospital Auxillary and the Creekside Seniors Centre. Over the years she has applied for grants, helped organize events and done anything else to lend a helping hand.
Bueckert remarked with a chuckle she likes to keep busy, noting she also raises funds for the Lone Butte Historical Society and plays cards with residents of Carefree Manor.
“I like to keep busy and be with people, that way I can interact and have some fun,” Bueckert said. “We have lots of fun at the seniors centre, I love it.”
Also nominated for Citizen of the Year were Pooja Dixit Charat, Kathy Wolczuk, Ken Schmidt, Lorna Wiebe, Andrew Steeves and Shawn Nelson. Each received a certificate from Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Lorne Doerkson thanking them for their service.
“Just being nominated as Citizen of the Year is an honour,” Barnett said. “Things like this only happen because of volunteers. People who give their heart and their soul to their community and there are hundreds of you out there that should be nominated.”
After Bueckert received her award, Doerkson took the mic and caught Barnett off guard with an award of her own. He said that Barnett has been Citizen of the Year in the past but that many in the community have felt she should be nominated again.
Free Press publisher Martina Dopf agreed and asked local stone carver Vance Theoret to create a custom Lifetime Achievement Award depicting two stone loons to recognize her decades of community service.
“Donna Barnett is truly deserving of a Lifetime Achievement Award. From the moment her feet hit the ground in 100 Mile House, Donna has been giving her time,” Doerkson said. “She has been volunteering at almost every event, many community service groups and many committees including policing, the hospital and of course her latest passion, seniors housing.
“Volunteer is literally her middle name. She has been 100 Mile’s go to to get things started and to get things done.”
Barnett broke into tears as Doerkson presented her the award to further applause from the crowd. After collecting herself she remarked she was shocked and hadn’t expected to be recognized.
“That was very nice,” Barnett said. “I’m tearful but it’s an absolutely beautiful award. It’s quite an honour.”
She added that 100 Mile House was built by volunteers and she is hopeful the example that people like her and Bueckert set will inspire more people to volunteer.
“Without the community and all the people who work with me and support me, it wouldn’t happen. Everything belongs to the community as far as I’m concerned,” Barnett said. “Volunteering is just a part of life and it makes your life worth getting up in the morning for.”
patrick.davies@100milefreepress.net
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