Volunteers in the community took the spotlight for this year’s Citizen of the Year and Group of the Year awards.

Krystal Chow was named the 2019 Citizen of the Year for her tireless efforts as a volunteer in the community.

“Most people say when they volunteer they aren’t expecting anything, they just go out and do it. They don’t think anything of it, they just go out and volunteer. So to be recognized is very humbling, very exciting, and I’m very happy,” Chow said.

Chow is the friendly face you’ll see at Moose Jaw Warriors’ game as she lends a hand with the Warriors’ Booster Club. She took part in numerous fundraisers for the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Hospital and the Moose Jaw Humane Society.

Her other volunteer efforts include the JumpStart Games and being a Big Sister in the Big Brother/Big Sister program. This summer she volunteered for the Saskatchewan Air Show at 15 Wing. Next month she plans to volunteer for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Chow says volunteering in the community started when she was young through her parents.

“The community has always been a big part of our family. I’ve been very lucky that Moose Jaw is such a good community that there is an opportunity to volunteer at anything through either the Warriors’ Booster Club to Canadian Tire JumpStart, I’ve been lucky to do that,” she said.

Others nominated for the award included Bruce Wilms, Deann Little, Gabriella Hill, Harvey and Star Parker, Patrick Boyle and Rudy Fast.

Moose Jaw Families For Change are presented with the 2019 Moose Jaw Group of the Year Award.

Moose Jaw Families for Change were named the 2019 Group of the Year.

Families for Change has been promoting opportunities for people of all abilities in the community since 2000.

Community co-ordinator Katie Statler says they couldn't have done it without the support of the community.

“Without the support of Moose Jaw and the growing needs of the community, we have been fortunate enough to have expanded as quickly as we have in the past two years. Among the long list of supporters and partners, the Kinsmen Club Moose Jaw has played a large role in our ability to expand and have assisted us to become as successful as we are,” she said.

This past year was an important one for the organization as they opened the Kinsmen Cafe to employ people with varying abilities.

Moose Jaw Families for Change have also raised funds for other organizations including the Moose Jaw International Medical Mission.

Others nominated for the award include Born 2 Dance, Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital Auxiliary, Friends of the Library, Moose Jaw Festival of Dance, Moose Jaw & District Food Bank, Moose Jaw International Medical Mission, Moose Jaw Music Festival Committee, SCRAPS, the staff at Maguire Centre and Running Wild Rescue.

Also handed out were the Moose Jaw Heritage Awards. The winners are as follows:

Heritage Tradespeople and Craftspeople
Brysen Bert of Steady Metalworks

Heritage Advocacy and Education
Bison Festival
Moose Jaw Dayz Facebook Page
Tourism Moose Jaw
Percy Hill

Heritage Restoration
John and Donna Bye