The nominations are in and the votes have been counted and two deserving individuals will be given the citizen awards.
This year Brian Grest will be awarded Citizen of the Year.
Grest, who was nominated by his 40 oz Philsophy band mates, grew up in Humboldt and has an extensive list of volunteering jobs that he has undertaken in the 13 years since he returned to Humboldt with his wife, Janet, and daughter, Geneva.
Grest has spent much of his time as a founder, organizer, and promoter of Arts Humboldt and the Carlton Trail Ski Club, but that does not stop him from venturing to other projects as well, says his Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce biography.
“At one point he sat on six boards in town and in the province, yet he didn’t limit his involvement to just these groups, as evidenced by his willingness to throw his time and energy into supporting ventures by the Humboldt and Area Refugee Coalition, the Humboldt Downtown Business Improvement District, the City of Humboldt, the Humboldt is Hockeyville campaign, and Humboldt’s hosting of the RBC Cup, to name a few.”
Jodie Hergott, lead singer of 40 oz Philsophy speaks for the rest of the band when saying that giving back and contributing to his community is something they have seen from Grest consistently over the past 10 years they have known him.
They wanted to give Grest the chance to be recognized for that.
“We wanted him to know that all his efforts and time commitments were not taken for granted. Obviously when you commit time to another project there is something you’ve given up, whether it be his free time or time with his family.”
Jodie says that they wanted Grest to know that his efforts are seen and are appreciated. He is making the community a better place and a place you want to raise your family, she says.
Not only is Grest making the community better through his own efforts, says Jodie, but also by leading by example and proving to others that contributing to the community is possible, even with a busy life.
“He’s a leader when it comes to involvement and showing people that it doesn’t hurt to get involved. Giving back can be very easy.”
Dean Hergott, a fellow band member of Grest, also had plenty of words to say of Grest and his hard work, speaking of his giving nature.
“(Grest) is one of the most giving, community-minded people I have ever met. The passion he demonstrates and personal time he commits to causes he believes are important to his community are unparalleled.”
Grest is extremely honoured to be receiving this award.
Living and being a part of a community, you strive to make the community better in one way shape or form, he says.
“I have my own little way so I do my thing. I give because I think a person should give to the community.”
This year Madison Mueller will be awarded Junior Citizen of the Year.
Mueller, who was nominated by Sobey’s owner, Dave Doepker, will be graduating from Humboldt Collegiate Institute this spring with the intent to move on to medical school in Vancouver or Montreal to become a doctor.
Mueller was super excited and honoured to have won the award. She is grateful to Doepker to have noticed her hard work and thought to nominate her.
Mueller likes filling her schedule and remaining busy and that has not been a problem with numerous activities on her plate.
According Doepker’s nomination form, Mueller has indeed be keeping busy with competitive sports, including the last six years playing soccer, three years playing basketball, and 11 years of competitive swimming, as well as working as a lifeguard at the Humboldt Aquatic Centre teaching swimming lessons, aquasize, and volunteering with Special O swim team, and helping out on the family farm, all while maintaining an over 95 per cent average in her last two years of school.
To assist her on her path to medical school, Mueller has also been volunteering at the Humboldt and District Hospital Complex in order to learn more about the healthcare field.
Besides keeping busy, Mueller says she finds everything from sports to her work at the hospital rewarding and fun.
Doepker does not see many young people like Mueller with all of her giving back to the community, he said in a phone interview.
With all of her work with volunteering at the pool and with the hospital, it is not all just for her, he says.
“It’s not just all about her, she gives back, too, which is something we’re looking for our youth to do more and more of because they are our future.”
When we recognize someone like Mueller, that bodes well for our future, says Doepker.
Both honourees will be given their awards during the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce Mark of Excellence ceremony on March 7.
Tickets are still available for the event by calling the Humboldt and District Chamber of Commerce.
Both the Citizen and Junior Citizen of the Year awards are sponsored by the Humboldt Journal.
