Evelyn Keenleyside Wins Award

As my mom is telling the stories of her grandparents, I wanted to tell the stories of my grandparents. This isn't yet the summary or culmination of grandma's achievements, but rather a note on the recent public celebration that she has received for her dedication to Golden.

Recently, Evelyn Keenleyside won the the Peter Bowle Evans Memorial Award. The award, given in Peter's name is awarded each year, but only if there is someone worthy to receive it. Peter was a pillar of community service during the time he lived in Golden. Among some of his contributions were the initiation of the Ski School for Whitetooth Mountain and with Dan Ringheim, started the Nancy Green Race Program in Golden, which I and my brother were apart of for a great number of years in our youth.

Grandma was chosen for this award because of the economic impact her volunteer commitment has made on Golden. She has been involved with the Golden Community Resource Society since its' inception 32 years ago, and spent only 12 of those years in a paid position. Some of the programs she gave support and mentorship to were the Food Bank, the Women's Centre, the Family Centre, Golden Employment services, Special Services to Children, the Alternate School, Project Adamant, and most recently, Mountainview Assisted Living.

I would like to share the speech that grandma gave when she won the award:

There is a saying, "We make a living from what we get. We make a life from what we give". And I have been privileged go make a very good life here in Golden. As I was growing up, volunteerism was one of the values my parents passed on to our family. It was what you did for the community you lived in. You helped in any way you could to make your town a better place for all the people who lived there.

No one volunteers in a vacuum. One has only to read a history of Golden to see how much people have contributed to making our town what it is today. Golden has a history of great volunteerism and I have had the pleasure of working with many people who have contributed greatly.

But the secret about volunteering is that you get back much more that you give. The skills developed as you work toward reaching an outcome for all parties involved; the satisfaction of seeing organizations that you had a part in establishing, benefiting the people of Golden; and the many friendships formed over board tables and in work parties are all rewards I have enjoyed.

Thank you for this honour and thank you for the pleasure I have had by volunteering.

I think this speech summarizes not only how grandma feels about the community, but the energy and dedication behind the legacy fund we are establishing.

Thank you grandma, for continuing your parents legacy and inspiring us to do the same.