Never ones to seek out accolades an Okotoks couple was in the spotlight when they were presented with the Rotary Club’s Integrity Award at a banquet April 20.
Rotary president Bill McAlpine presented the prestigious Integrity Award to Bill and Karen McFarlane, who are the owners of McFarlane Agencies in Okotoks and active volunteers and supporters of local events and charities.
Karen McFarlane said she was genuinely shocked when she heard they were going to be honoured with the Integrity Award.
“I was stunned,” said Karen. “We’ve always kind of flown under the radar. We did these things to make our community better and it makes ourselves better.”
Bill was equally as surprised with the award saying, “This is a very big honour and it is very humbling for Karen and I. We do whatever we can and whatever we put in we get back tenfold.”
The McFarlanes have been extremely active in the community since they moved to Okotoks and opened McFarlane Agencies in 1967.
Bill and Karen support more than 50 non-profit organizations in the area each year including the Foothills Country Hospice, Okotoks Pro Rodeo, school and church programs, Foothills Highland Games and various service clubs.
Bill is a past-president of the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce and town councillor while Karen has been an active volunteer with the Rosemont Hospice in Calgary and Foothills Country Hospice near Okotoks.
The local sports scene would be quite different were it not for the efforts of Bill McFarlane as he took a leading role in developing the Okotoks Pro Rodeo and was instrumental in operating the Okotoks Junior B Bisons hockey program.
McAlpine said the McFarlanes have been integral in the success of many local programs and events and they are worthy choices for the Integrity Award.
“They have always believed in giving back and they are true pioneers to this area’s business growth,” said McAlpine. “These are long-time residents who are strong community supporters and community volunteers.”
Bill said he is still speechless regarding the honour.
“We are deeply grateful and I don’t know what to say,” he said. “It is wonderful what the Rotary Club has done and it is such a pleasure to live in Okotoks and have the ability to not only live here and work here, but it’s a pleasure knowing the people we have met and gotten to know.”
For Karen she said one of the reasons they became so involved in the community is to ensure Okotoks’ success, but also instill the spirit of volunteerism and strong community support into their children.
“We raised our children here and they have raised their children here,” she said. “We wanted to give the community our support so there would be a future here for our kids.”
Bill and Karen’s sons Trevor and Jason McFarlane now operate McFarlane Agencies which employs 20 people and continues to be a strong supporter of local charities and initiatives.
