A special community volunteer tea, recognizing volunteers in the area for their hard work and dedication was hosted during National Volunteer Week on April 25 at the Preeceville Club 60.
The event was sponsored by the Preeceville Economic Development Society and hosted by the Preeceville and District Heritage Museum.
“There are 12.5 million Canadian volunteers who give their time to help each other, contributing 2.1 billion volunteer hours per year,” said Mayor Garth Harris in a volunteer proclamation which was recited by Agnes Murrin, Preeceville and District Heritage Museum, chairperson.
“Volunteers in Preeceville mentor our children, feed our hungry, comfort our lonely, beautify our green spaces and fundraise for our charitable organizations,” the proclamation said. “Preeceville volunteers are young, old, families, workers, retirees, men and women of all ages and backgrounds.
“The collective result of the work done by our town’s volunteers is that Preeceville is a more desirable place to live,” it said. “The organizations in Preeceville that rely on volunteers include such fundamental organizations as sport, culture and recreation groups, youth mentoring groups, schools, hospitals, non-profit organizations and many more.
“Volunteers play a critical role in contributing to the growth and development of healthy people, families and communities,” it said. “Volunteers are the foundation of a small community.
“We all should be proud of our accomplishments and today is a way we can give a little something back to our dedicated volunteers,” Harris’s proclamation said.
Each club or organization was given a letter from the Town of Preeceville requesting its group to nominate someone in his or her club to recognize publicly for contributions made.
Agnes Murrin, kicked off the tea with tentative details surrounding the Canada 150 celebrations.
The Town of Preeceville proclaimed April 23 to 29 as National Volunteer Week.
The St. John Lutheran Church in Preeceville acknowledged past dedicated member Pat Kozloski for her dedication to the church. Helen Scheller spoke briefly of Kozloski’s history.
“Pat was born May 20, 1952,” she said. “She grew up on a farm and when she was 12 years old her parents moved into Prince Albert. Her father was a school principal. She was the youngest of three and had two older brothers. Pat went on to achieve her registered nursing education in Saskatoon. She worked as a nurse for about 10 years in Rabbit Lake, Spiritwood and Saskatoon.
“Pat married Les Kozloski on July 31, 1971 and began the role of mother and farmer’s wife. She was the mother to four girls, Marie, Treena, Anita and Carol, and one son Kelly. For numerous years she worked at the pig barns.
“Pat was very much a farmer’s wife,” said Scheller. “She knew the names of every cow on the farm and could operate any piece of machinery on the couple’s farm. She often ran the farm in the winter when her husband, Les was away driving a truck.”
Kozloski was an active member of the St. John Lutheran Church and North Prairie Church. She was an active member of the women’s group and led the group that catered to funeral lunches. Recently she had assumed the lead role for all the groups.
She also assumed the role of the head convener for the church’s kitchen and was responsible for keeping the kitchen stocked throughout the year. She took her turn in hosting Bible studies and contributed to the bake sales and soup-and-sandwich fundraisers.
“Pat had experienced grief in her life but was a strong woman both in character and in her faith,” said Scheller. “She loved her family and her church. One of her greatest joys was her grandchildren and she was always there to help her children and grandchildren.
“We miss her and continue to weep for her. She was taken from us far too soon but take comfort in knowing she is with her Lord and continues to lend loving and helping hands in heaven,” she said.
Kozloski’s husband Les and children Carol Gibb and Anita Gillis accepted the award from Helen Scheller. Gillis expressed the family’s gratitude for the many kind words of her mother’s attributions and dedication.
The Preeceville and District Heritage Museum acknowledged Lorne Plaxin. Mary Petrowski spoke briefly on Plaxin’s accomplishments.
Plaxin has been on the museum board since it began 12 years ago. He worked as the vice-president of the Preeceville Historical Society which was responsible for putting together the history book.
"Lorne is very involved in the museum and also aides in tours at the museum," said Petrowski. "He has earned a life membership from the museum. He is passionate about the museum and preserving the history of Preeceville for its residents and for future generations.
The tea concluded with cake and refreshments.
