DIDSBURY - Clem Kuelker was surprised when he picked up his mail and learned he had been honoured with a Senator's Contribution Award.
"I thought it was a nice way to be recognized," said Kuelker.
The longtime Didsbury resident was one of 219 Albertans honoured by Senator Doug Black for their important volunteer contributions to their communities.
"It is important to recognize those who make quiet contributions to our communities and I wanted to use my position as an elected senator to work with each of Alberta's communities to find exceptional individuals," said Black in a press release.
The award was not Kuelker's first. In 2011 he was awarded with a Stars of Alberta Volunteer Award for similar service.
As chairs of the Rosebud Foundation, Kuelker and Albert Ohlhauser began the helipad project in 2012 and were both pleased to see it finally open earlier this year. Kuelker said it was a lot of work to get the project off the ground but was well worth it.
Kuelker was chair of the Rosebud Health Foundation on four separate occasions beginning in 1998. He is still currently a member of the Rosebud Community Grow Project, which grows crops to sell and raise money to send overseas to countries in need.
"Our group has donated $217,000 to date to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank from the crops we have grown," he said.
In addition, Kuelker helps acquire and relocate hospital beds to people in their homes who are ill.
Whether it was as a volunteer or receiving a small stipend, Kuelker was involved with a tremendous number of groups and events including: member of the Kinsmen Club from 1962-76; president of the local chamber of commerce from 1972-76; town councillor for two terms, 1969-73 and 2001-04; member of the Olds College board of directors from 1984-87; chair of the fundraising committee for Westglen School from 1986-90; and five terms on St. Anthony's Parish Council.
Starting with his manufacturing company in Didsbury, Kuelker was involved with the Calgary Stampede from 1992-2015, building and helping maintain the rising stage in the grandstand.
Kuelker said helping out in the community is just something he always did.
"You get a telephone call on Sunday morning and you get another one on Sunday night, another one on Monday," he said. "I still get telephone calls coming in quite often from people I've known over the years. They have little jobs and I do it. My motto always was if I can help someone out and it's within my capabilities I'll find a way to help them."
Kuelker said it's very satisfying to be able to help.
