In her second year as director of the Heartland Youth Center, Winnie Bissett met Benjamin “Benny” Green, a meeting that changed her forever.
“You go through life and you meet those people you just have a connection with,” she said. “He became a second son to me. A first, really,” she noted, as she hadn’t had children of her own at that point.
Green was a “whistle as you work” type of fellow, one who took on any task to make an extra dollar to help him offset the cost of the activities in which he participated. Mowing lawns, cleaning, collecting bottles and cans – Green did it all, and with a smile and a happy attitude, Bissett remembered.
When he graduated out of the youth centre’s programs at 18, he moved away from Stettler but remained in touch with Bissett, who had become more than an activity and group leader but a good friend.
“He wanted to be a cook,” Bissett recalled. But Green, who couldn’t afford to go to culinary school, instead found work in construction, where his “whistle as you work” type of attitude had him constantly employed.
He married and had two children, though Bissett said later that she found out he had fathered a third child before his marriage.
“That was something he never told me,” she said.
It was business as usual at the youth center last June when Bissett’s eye was caught by a news story coming from Saskatoon.
Green had been found dead, murdered, allegedly by a man whom he had been helping out. The murder shocked people in Saskatoon who knew both Green and the accused, but devastated those who had known Green from his youth centre days.
As Bissett stood in front of gathered members of the youth centre at its annual general meeting on March 23, her emotions threatened to overwhelm her.
When news of Green’s death reached them, they reached out using Facebook and phone and text message and email to each other, and ended up gathered at the youth centre where they remembered Green in an informal memorial.
At the end of the evening, they had decided to memorialize Green, his life and contribution to the youth centre, by creating the “Whistling as you work” Benny Green memorial award.
This year, its first year, it was awarded to Xavier Moreno.
Other awards were given at the meeting, and the teenagers who participate at the centre played a video they had made about bullying.
A plea also went out for mentors and Big Brothers and Big Sisters for the program. It was revealed that there’s a waiting list for “Bigs” about 20 kids deep, with some having to wait for four years to be paired with someone.
Being a Big Sister or Big Brother requires a few hours a week, but can make a big difference in a child’s life, Christel Shuckburgh, the program co-ordinator, explained. For those who want to help but can’t commit to the hours necessary, the in-school mentorship program only requires an hour of time a week. Anyone who can contribute the time should contact the centre to start the process.
The centre’s big purchase for this year was a new shuttle bus, to replace the two older passenger vans the centre had used to ferry the kids around for summer programs. Though a hefty expenditure, the cost savings in repair and upkeep as well as the increased safety for the children taking part in the programs made making the decision to spend the money an easy one.
Award Winners
CORPORATE CARES – Autotrust
This award recognizes long time support from the many businesses who contribute to the Heartland Youth Center – either through sponsorship, donations or hosting events.
MARG FORRESTER MEMORIAL AWARD – James Choi (Big Brother)
This award is presented in Marg’s memory to recognize an outstanding program volunteer.
NICOLE BLUMHAGEN MEMORIAL AWARD – April Nelson and Katie Nims
This award is presented annually in Nicole’s memory, to recognize a Keystone and Torch member for their dedication, community service efforts and involvement at the Youth Center.
BENNY GREEN MEMORIAL “WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK” AWARD – Xavier Moreno
This award recognizes the teen member who embraces community service work with a positive attitude and smile.