When Keith Watkin stands up to be counted for his extensive volunteerism, he knows he doesn’t stand alone.
“Volunteering isn’t one person,” he said.
“It’s a whole team of volunteers.”
Watkin is one of six local citizens nominated for the 2012 Volunteer Citizen of the Year.
Although his parents volunteered, it wasn’t until Watkin moved to Quesnel in the early 1970s as a young man that a fellow Cariboo Pulp and Paper employee convinced him to join the Quesnel volunteer fire department.
“My backdoor neighbour, Kadi Koyama was a volunteer fire fighter and took me along,” Watkin said.
“Chuck Beath was the fire chief. This was the first time I had ever joined anything.”
What hooked him on becoming involved was the camaraderie, teamwork and knowing that no matter what you always had the backup of your fellow volunteers.
Watkin advanced to captain during his 12 years with the fire department. However, when he decided to move his volunteering to Quesnel and District Highway Rescue, he stepped down to an associate member of the fire department.
“I embraced the new challenge, but still found the same qualities in my fellow volunteers,” he said.
“The same camaraderie and teamwork.”
But Watkin said one of the big differences was every call for highway rescue was a bad call.
“Highway rescue calls are always very personal, people are in trouble,” he said.
“I did 11 years but I had to let it go.”
After the carnage he witnessed on the highways, Watkins was happy to join the Good Cheer team where you deal with a great organization that does good work. He works all year long preparing aspects for Good Cheer delivery at Christmastime.
Watkin also loves his Lions Club volunteer work because that also is good for the soul.
“Again, we have strong camaraderie and teamwork,” he said.
“We work together to serve the community. But again I stress it takes a team to get things done.”
Watkin added Quesnel is a remarkable community where volunteers are generous with their time and make the community a great place to live.
He admitted there’s satisfaction in being recognized for what you’ve done, but says that can be accomplished with a simple thank you.
Quesnel’s 2012 Volunteer Citizen of the Year will be announced at the gala event, April 23. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m. in the Legion Hall. Tickets are $20 each and available at City Hall.