In December Yorkton Council unveiled the recipients of the 2019 Civic Recognition Awards.
In the adult category Mark Schendel was the recipient.
Schendel鈥檚, involvement in the community is varied.
With a very strong coaching background, he offers his time and involvement in many levels and disciplines of sport in the community, and organized the first Yorkton Minor Hockey Outdoor Classic game in early 2019.
Schendel also spear-headed a fundraiser for a wheelchair accessible swing at a playground in Yorkton, and organized toy drives for children in need.
In addition he was also behind the black seat at the Farrell Agencies Arena, which is left empty at all arena events to signify and honour those who serve and have served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Schendel said being selected for the award came as a definite surprise.
鈥淚 had just crawled into bed, my wife and I. I was just going through my emails,鈥� he recalled, adding he delved into his junk email folder, and found the letter from the City that he had been selected.
鈥淲hat a pleasant surprise to find in junk mail.鈥�
When he asked his wife about the award, she explained her father and mother Kelly and Bonnie Price, were behind the nomination.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just very flattering, an absolute honour ... I鈥檓 over the moon with it,鈥� Schendel said.
What makes the recognition so special is that there are many in the city that would be worthy, suggested Schendel.
鈥淭here are so many people who do things for the community,鈥� he said.
So why does Schendel keep so engaged in doing work in the community?
鈥淚 really enjoy it. I have fun,鈥� he offered, adding he finds it a way to burn off extra energy too.
Schendel said he makes connections as he volunteers too.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting opportunity to build relationships,鈥� he said, adding he particularly notices that in doing extracurricular activities at school where he can build connections with students. 鈥淚t鈥檚 awesome.鈥�
Volunteering is also near hereditary in Schendel鈥檚 case.
鈥淭he apple doesn鈥檛 fall far from the tree,鈥� he said, noting he grew up watching his father Dean Schendel raising money for Snowarama, and his mother Janice still going to the hospital and nursing homes playing the kazoo, piano and accordion for people.
鈥淎ll throughout my life I鈥檝e seen my mom and dad doing things in the community and it really rubbed off on me,鈥� he said.
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