A little more than a week ago Gene Krepakevich received an unexpected email.
When he opened it he found out he was one of 12 people across Saskatchewan who would be receiving a 2019 Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal.
“It was nice to receive it – very gratifying,” said Krepakevich, adding “... it was a surprise. It really was.”
Krepakevich said he has volunteered because he felt it was the right thing to do, not for the possibility of a medal one day.
“In my lifetime I did volunteer work because that’s who I am,” he said.
Krepakevich said in growing up in a family of five boys on a farm in the Mikado district things such as being fair and kind were instilled in him, adding his mother told him “don’t forget when you grow up to be generous.”
One way Krepakevich, a former teacher, found to be generous was with his time.
“It’s always been part of my life,” he said. “It was easy to be a volunteer. I did what I could when asked to. You’re doing it for others, not for yourself.”
Krepakevich has two main loves as a volunteer, the Yorkton Terriers Junior Hockey Club and the local Co-op.
A long-time Terrier Board member Krepakevich was recognized as Yorkton Sportsman of the Year in 1990, and was inducted into the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in 2003.
In 1980, Krepakevich became a delegate for the Co-op, and in 1994, Krepakevich was elected president of the board, a position he still holds.
Normally the medal would be presented at a banquet in Regina this spring, but because of COVID-19 protocols that has been postponed until the fall.
“They said they’d courier the medal,” said Krepakevich.
Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty recently publicly announced the medal recipients.
“The Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal recognizes the extraordinary citizens that support our communities and our province,” Mirasty said in a prepared release.
“This year’s recipients are leaders and mentors in their communities and are truly making a difference. I congratulate the 2019 recipients, who are most worthy, to be counted among those who have received this prestigious provincial honour over the past 25 years.”
2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, which was established in 1995 to recognize the extraordinary work done by volunteers across the province. Since its establishment, the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal has been awarded to 217 deserving individuals.
