Soul of Airdrie Nomination

Photo by Kristy Reimer

Recently I had the honour of being notified that I have been nominated for the Soul of Airdrie Award.  It's interesting to me as I have been very involved in my community because I want to help make it even better than it already is and feel privileged to be able to contribute in a way that means so much to me.  When I was a young woman I wanted to volunteer when I lived in Winnipeg briefly but never knew how to go about it, or whether what I could contribute would be of any value.  Because I hadn't completed by BFA or been highly trained in any particular area or without having years of experience behind me I didn't think I could be of any assistance.  And then I moved to Airdrie almost twenty years ago and I was approached with numerous opportunities.  My daughters' elementary school welcomed me with open arms, giving me small responsibilities and then growing them as they knew my skills, interests and history.  After that came the Airdrie Public Library, followed by contributions to the Alliance Church, Airdrie Food Bank and the Boys & Girls Club.  And then my friend Sherry Shaw-Froggatt asked if I thought a painted chair project would be a good idea...we began brainstorming and the AIRdirondack Art Project was born, then Creative Airdrie Society, Main Street Project, ARTember, Mayor's Night of the Arts and several other projects in between.  I don't always know what I'm doing but I do enjoy meeting people and learning together.  It really is a privilege.