Volunteering and supporting the community is in the blood of the 2015 winners of the Heart of Okotoks Award.
Andrew and Shari Gustafson won the award at the 20th annual Leadership Awards at D’Arcy Ranch Golf Course on April 15.
The couple said they were grateful for the award and they’re happy to be able to make a difference and inspire others.
“It’s like an affirmation that you are helping others to make a difference and that your work is valued,” said Shari. “We put a lot of time and a lot of energy into helping build the community.”
The couple was one of seven nominated for the award.
The award recognizes individuals over 18 or groups that show exceptional leadership through volunteering.
The couple is involved in a number of causes in town.
Andrew is vice-president of the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce, he is vice-chair of the Sheep River Health Trust, he is also board member of Okotoks minor basketball and a member of the Foothills Okotoks Recreation Society, just to name a few. Shari is president of KidSport Okotoks, she is a coach with Okotoks Minor Basketball and Okotoks minor soccer. She is also involved with the Okotoks Wishmaker Walk and the upcoming Lemonade Day.
Andrew is also owner of Natural High Fitness, which is also actively involved giving back to the community, including running a charitable triathlon in Okotoks each year.
A spirit of volunteerism started young for both of them.
“Our parents did that with us, [Shari] was involved with 4H, I was involved with Scouts, we were both involved in our church growing up,” said Andrew.
Shari said it’s something they are working to instill in their own children. It also is one of the reasons why they support the charities and initiatives they do so their children can take part along side them.
“We want them to see us being active in the community and a part of caring and giving to others and being compassionate to others,” she said.
Volunteering is addictive, she said.
“You start to value helping others, you start to value giving and seeing the world from just a slightly different perspective than being focused on yourself,” she said.
The Gustafsons were nominated for the award by their friends Catherine and Greg Gibbs.
Catherine said they are the epitome of the Heart of Okotoks.
“They unselfishly give so much to this community, unselfishly, unconditionally,” she said. “It’s just ingrained in them, it’s in their hearts.”
And, their contributions to the community didn’t skip a beat as they raised their family.
“They stepped forward and they embraced it even more,” she said. “They have such a passion for this community and their passion is, it’s truly an inspiration.”
