By Taylor MacPherson

Sheryl Kimbley is Prince Albert’s 2016 Citizen of the Year

Dec 30, 2016 | 5:00 AM

The Prince Albert Kinsmen Club presented its 2016 Citizen of the Year award to Sheryl Kimbley today in recognition of her outstanding volunteerism with many different community groups.

The award recognizes Prince Albert residents who have been an active, positive influence in the city throughout the year, and Kinsmen President Marcus Abrametz said Kimbley’s name rose to the top in a pool of outstanding citizens.

“Her name really stood out,” Abrametz told paNOW. “Everybody was happy to honour her.”

When it comes to volunteerism, Abrametz said Kimbley has gone far beyond the call of duty on many occasions.

“She’s been instrumental in not only volunteering for the community, but saving lives,” Abrametz said.

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“She’s assisted with suicide prevention strategies. She’s fed the homeless. She’s volunteered with Relay for Life, [and] Run for the Cure. She’s welcomed Syrian refugees to Prince Albert. It just goes on and on, her list of accomplishments.”

Shauna Sayese said she nominated Kimbley for the award because of her tireless work towards improving the city.

“I think she’s a positive advocate for Prince Albert,” Sayese said. “She’s always working so hard for the citizens here. She’s always promoting our city, welcoming people to our city and working hard to help the less fortunate, especially around the holidays.”

Kimbley, Sayese said, never takes the credit for herself.

“She’s always willing to share that credit with all the people that support her,” Sayese said. “She doesn’t do it on her own, and I think that’s one thing that really grounds her.”

Kimbley said Sayese and her family surprised her with the announcement.

“I found out about twenty minutes ago,” Kimbley told paNOW from her award celebration at Shenanigans Coffee and Dessert Bar. “I thought I was coming to a meeting for a board meeting and walked in and all of a sudden wondered why my family was here.”

“I’m still in shock, a little bit,” she said with a laugh.

Kimbley said she volunteers because of her parents, and joked they should be the ones receiving the award. She never imagined being recognized for volunteer work, Kimbley said, because volunteers rarely work on their own.

“Everything I do is a team effort,” she said. “I’ve never walked alone. I’ve never done anything that I do without the support of my husband and my kids.”

“This is not a ‘me’ day,” Kimbley said. “This is a ‘we.’”

With files from Nigel Maxwell.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

@TMacPhersonNews