Banff’s exceptional spirit of volunteerism was honoured on Canada’s 150th birthday when four locals were announced as the recipients of the 2017 Senator’s Contribution Award.
The brainchild of Sen. Doug Black, the award recognizes two nominated members from each Alberta village, town and city that are change makers in their communities.
Banff doubled that number, producing four recipients for the inaugural award – one of only two towns that managed such a feat, the other being Leduc.
Alanna Pettigrew, founder of Banff Food Rescue and one of the honorees, said it didn’t surprise her that Banff outshone nearly every community in Alberta.
“We have very, very giving communities and I don’t feel that I’m unique by any means. There are many, many more people in [Banff] and in Canmore that bring us together, that help us to move forward and build ourselves as a community,” she said.
Joe Bembridge, one of the co-founders of Banff Pride and another Senator’s Contribution Award recipient, agreed that kudos are due to the community itself.
“I do not take any credit, but we have created a community where people are feeling comfortable being who they are.”
In April, Black announced his intention to recognize Alberta’s volunteers in conjunction with National Volunteer Week.
“The impetus for the award was to recognize the people who build our communities,” said Patrick Cousineau, Black’s office director.
Black’s office reached out to mayors and reeves across the province for volunteer nominations and announced the recipients on Canada Day.
Each recipient will receive a certificate and letter of commendation from Black.
In a press release, Black said it was “important to recognize those who make quiet contributions to our communities.”
However, what makes Banff’s honourees stand out is their willingness to speak out to make a difference.
“I’m very often the person who speaks up when other people have the same thing on their mind, but are afraid to speak. I’m not afraid to speak up; I’m not intimidated,” said Pettigrew.
It’s that outspoken persistence that has made Banff Food Rescue, which Pettigrew runs out of her own home, so successful.
“For whatever reason, I’m good at seeing a need and pushing forward for a cause,” she said.
In Sept. 2016, Pettigrew launched Banff Food Rescue by first approaching local grocery stores about reducing their food waste.
Having worked in the industry herself for many years, Pettigrew knew that grocery stores were mandated to throw away food that had reached, or nearly reached their sell-by dates.
Recognizing that many people in her community were struggling financially to feed themselves, Pettigrew saw a solution to this two-part problem.
Pettigrew isn’t afraid to use her voice – even if it means fighting for just one more donated bag of tortilla chips.
“Even if I tried to suppress it, I couldn’t. I’m not a quiet individual. I’m very persistent,” she laughed.
Every bit counts and to date, she’s helped feed almost 8,800 people from the Food Rescue program alone, and has managed to divert more than 55,000 lbs. of food from the landfill. With support from the community, she is hoping to expand the program this year.
Bembridge feels much the same way, acknowledging that if no one else will speak up, he is happy to do it.
“For me, I spark change through the arts, and through performance and through voice. That is a gift I think I was born with,” he said.
Bembridge has been an advocate for positive change in the community as one of the co-founders of Banff Pride.
He grew up in Canmore and said he struggled as a teen because of a lack of supports for the LGBTQ community in his hometown. It was one of the reasons he eventually left Alberta to pursue a career in the theatre.
“Unlike cities where there are centres and organizations, in smaller communities, us LGBTQ people don’t really have a home base, so creating Banff Pride was a way for everyone to come together and celebrate our community as the LGBTQ people who live here,” he said. “But also what Banff Pride has been for me is a celebration of the community as a whole.”
Upon returning Banff after completing his studies, Bembridge realized he had to use his voice to create the inclusive and accepting community that he needed as a teen.
“For students, there is so much pressure for those in the LGBTQ community from schools that it’s our job to make sure they are celebrated. People say, ‘Oh, it’s such a small number.’ But you know what? Every number counts.”
Bembridge, who also works as the artist-in-residence at Banff Community High School and created the school’s drama program, was instrumental in the inaugural raising of the rainbow pride flag at both Banff Community High School and Canmore Collegiate High School.
Like Pettigrew, Bembridge recognizes the power of innovation in building a better community.
“I wanted to be active in the place that I live. And I wanted to engage with people that I might not ever have engaged with unless I created these projects and these platforms,” he said.
“We don’t do it for the accolades. I do it because when I see someone shine or sparkle or be allowed to express themselves, it’s the most incredible feeling I’ve ever had in my life.”
Rachel Goulet and Reginald Hope, both known for their work with the Banff Senior Citizens Society were also honoured with Senator’s Contribution Awards.
“We are incredibly proud of this community,” said Mayor Karen Sorenson of Banff’s honourees. “There are a lot of people who give up their time, and their energy and their creative thinking to make us a diverse, inclusive and caring community.”
