Randy Wowk told the Citizen of the Year audience that the community is full of volunteers who never receive or ask for recognition. The community judged that one of them is Randy Wowk.
Randy Wowk told the Citizen of the Year audience that the community is full of volunteers who never receive or ask for recognition. The community judged that one of them is Randy Wowk.
The 57-year-old owner of Lac La Biche Transport, sports coach and all-round volunteer was named Citizen of the Year by the Lac La Biche Lions Club and the Pow Wow Days committee at the Seniors Fish Fry July 31, the first event at this year's Pow Wow Days festival.
"This is just a proud, proud evening. We were lucky that we were able to get Randy finally, he deserved it a long, long time ago ... he's been needing the nominations." said Marvin Glazerman, Lions Club president.
The event, hosted by Pow Wow committee vice-president Gail Broadbent-Ludwig, saw speeches by Lac La Biche County Mayor Omer Moghrabi, Fort McMurray-Athabasca MP David Yurdiga and Wowk himself, who gave a speech where he thanked the community, not just for recognizing him but for the work of its volunteers.
"I see the guys that are around me that I grew up with, they're doing just as much, they never got nominated," Wowk said. "I've had people come up and say, 'Randy, good for you.' In the same breath, I can look at them and say they deserve just as much."
The award was adjudicated by the Lions Club, who said that all their nominations had merit, but that they wanted to reward Wowk for his active participation in community initiatives and sports programs such as baseball, hockey and badminton.
"Whatever we have here in this town, Randy has been pretty well (involved) with it," Glazerman said. "If there's people that needed a ride some place, I don't know what it is, but he was one of those people that anyone used to call and depend on. He would do anything for anybody. It's amazing."
Moghrabi's speech touted Wowk's work with sports, while teasing his work as an umpire.
"What can I say? Nobody has a clue how much he gives to the community," Moghrabi said. "He carries kids all over the province when he coached, made sure they were fed (and) had the right equipment... he deserves it 150 per cent.
"We were laughing because he umpires and referees, eh? I always have a tendency to get a little vocal, he's only thrown me out a couple of times."
Broadbent-Ludwig said she's remembered the Lac La Biche-born Wowk's work since she was young.
"(I) grew up here as a young child, and I remember him when I was this high," she said, gesturing. "Whenever you're somewhere, Randy's there. When you're at one of these events, you'll see Randy. When you're at the bingo hall and you're volunteering, you'll see Randy. It just shows that strong community spirit and what is required to make a community so fabulous."
Wowk said he was able to devote so much of his time to community work because the community supported his business in return.
"The community has been good to our family, we've given back lots. Their support in business... you give me the opportunity to donate back to our community," he said. "My dad always said, if you're not giving something back, you're not going to receive anything in the end, and in the long run, if you don't, you're the only one who knows."
Wowk said he's served as the president of minor baseball, hockey and soccer, as well as helping to organize lacrosse. He was also involved with schools, the Portage College pool board, the French Immersion society and in various community councils.
"I was always asked to be in boards where they needed a community liason. Never really thought nothing of it," he said. "People would ask for help and I'd say, 'Ask my wife,' and she'd say, 'Go.' We're very fortunate, you know?"
He said his wife, Odile, has been very supportive, as have his four children, Amy, Nicole, Joanna and Craig.
"They're all grown adults, I think they've learned by watching me because they're very organized, helping out. Kids learn by example, I'm so proud of my kids for what they do."
He says he got his community-based outlook from his parents, and his mother, Denise Wowk, approves.
"I'm just so proud of my son," Denise said. "He has a good work ethic."
And Wowk said the newest generation of the family is getting ready to start along the same path.
"We've been blessed with 5 and a half grandchildren in three years," he said. "They're all quite young, but if they're as active as their parents, I think there won't be an issue of sports... (as) a big priority in their homes."
He called for more people to get involved in the community, and said that the area had an opportunity it could seize to improve.
"Our community, we have to recognize that we have so much potential and people have to start making this a better town. We have a great community, we just have to get everybody in place and working together," he said. "We have nothing to be embarrassed about, though, we have one heck of a nice community."
