The Hub was abuzz this past Saturday evening, March 11 as the Kinette Club of Stettler came together to participate in the 67th anniversary celebrations, but more importantly to bestow the honour of life membership on Stettler resident and long-time Kinette Nancy Hamilton.
“The evening was mostly about honouring Nancy with the highest award our National Association of Kin Canada has to offer individual members,” said Stettler Kinette Club President Jenna Taylor. “They must have demonstrated club and community leadership as well as been involved outside the club at a district or national level.”
Hamilton who received the Life Membership Award was nominated by the club for her great contributions to the association throughout her 15 years of service.
“This award is more than just a club award,” Taylor explained. “It is not given lightly and the club considers all aspects of the member being considered. Not only is the club, district and national involvement a factor, but so is the extent of the person’s community involvement and commitment to the betterment of the lives of Canadians.”
Taylor said that Hamilton’s bone marrow donations are a testament to that level of commitment.
“She has been a huge supporter of Canadian Blood Services, Cystic Fibrosis and also has been instrumental in raising money and ensuring the blood service continues to come to Stettler,” Taylor added.
Hamilton has held many executive positions during this time both within the Stettler Kinette Club as well at a district level, having previously received awards for Kinette of the Year and Kinette of the Month within the club.
“She is very knowledgeable and a great mentor, she is the voice of reason yet the life of the party,” Taylor added. “For me personally, Nancy is an amazing lady that I am proud to call a friend. She has been my mentor, especially over the past year and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honour.”
As Leona Thorogood emceed through the evening, a slideshow of Hamilton being caught in many moods and moments were played, giving all members and attendees present there a real insight into why Hamilton was so deserving fo the award.
“The impact on my life of being a Kinette and a member of Kin Canada, is in its motto – Grow, Learn, Make Friends, Have Fun,” Hamilton said. “This Kin family is a group of people who volunteer to give back to their communities that they love, in both small and big ways – these women of your Stettler Kinettes are incredibly strong individuals, who work hard for Stettler, and still have fun doing it.”
Hamilton’s award was a surprise, so when her name was called out, it was an emotional moment for the recipient and her friends and family.
“To be honoured with the Life Membership Award is just a surreal feeling, I’m having a hard time describing this moment,” Hamilton added. “To be in that Lifer group – as they call it – a group of Kin, that I have always looked up to, I am so grateful.”
Taylor said that she would like to thank everyone who made the evening so special.
“For any young woman who is looking to join a club with a commitment to our community, to raise funds or do service work, we are constantly accepting applications for membership.”
According to Taylor, the Kinette Club is an opportunity to meet like-minded, busy young women and create a network of lifetime friends.