The inaugural winner of the Shirley Beausoleil Volunteer Award was humbled to earn a spot on an award in honour of her friend.
The new award was given out at the Keremeos-Cawston Sportsmen Association awards dinner held Saturday night at Victory Hall.
“I am really honoured. She was a such a beautiful lady. I am really honoured to have my name on an award named after her,” Dorothy Smith said shortly after receiving the award.
Beausoleil was a longtime volunteer at the sportsmen association. She died this past summer.
“Shirley was a quiet, unassuming member who went about volunteering for K-CSA functions and events with little fan fare. She shunned the spotlight, however Shirley could be counted on to be in the background at every event regardless of location helping out with whatever she could,” K-CSA president Doug Boult said before announcing Smith as the first recipient of the award.
Smith worked on different committees with Beausoleil since joining the K-CSA in 2003.
“We bumped into each other quite often at events. She was always giving of her time,” Smith said.
The new award is special as the recipient is chosen by a vote held within the membership.
“We could go on for hours talking about everything this lady has done for K-CSA,” Boult said while describing Smith.
Smith was the K-CSA membership chair for 10 years. She’s also been the kitchen chair, concession chair, the last two years she was the banquet co-chair. She has held the banquet decorating chair or co-chair position as long as anyone can remember. She’s also organized a number of Christmas parties.
“This lady does it all. Wow, did the membership get this right,” Boult said.
Other recipients of awards at the banquet included secretary Jade Schneider. Schneider earned the President’s Trophy.
The Jr. Sportsmen of the Year Award went to Zane Gibbs while the Sr. Sportsmen of the Year Award had two recipients Ron Smith and Kathaleen Gibbs.
Club Championships winners were: Junior, silver, Skye Schneider; Jr. Champ, Jetson Gibbs; Ladies Silver, Skye Schneider; Ladies Champ, Jade Schneider; Mens Bronze, Greg Sanderson; Silver, Matthew Campbell and Overall Champ, Doug Boult.