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Ben Hudye presented with 2015 Garden of Saskatchewan Citizen’s Ring

A man who was instrumental in the construction of the Assiniboine Valley Medical Centre in Kamsack was presented with the 2015 Garden of Saskatchewan Citizen’s Ring last week during a reception held at the medical centre in celebration of the $2 mill

            A man who was instrumental in the construction of the Assiniboine Valley Medical Centre in Kamsack was presented with the 2015 Garden of Saskatchewan Citizen’s Ring last week during a reception held at the medical centre in celebration of the $2 million facility having been paid.

            Ben Hudye, who has been on the Assiniboine Valley Health and Wellness Foundation’s medical centre fundraising committee from its inception, was presented with the ring by Kamsack Mayor Rod Gardner, who had nominated him for the award.

            Members of the Assiniboine Valley Health and Wellness Foundation, its fundraising committee, major sponsors and active supporters gathered in front of the medical centre on August 10 to celebrate the near completion of raising the funds for the centre. At the inception of the project, members of the group had promised themselves that once the project had been completed, they would meet out front to enjoyed a roasted hot dog and make a tequila toast to commemorate the occasion.

            It has been said that a person has only three things to contribute: time, talent and treasure, Gardner said during the meeting. “We tapped Ben Hudye for this project and he has contributed all three.

            “Ben was hands on with this project and kept us focused,” he said. “When we had doubted ourselves if we were doing the right thing, Ben had told us to hold on a minute, rethink the situation and proceed.”

            Gardner had explained how the late Stan and Betty Clark had established the Garden of Saskatchewan Citizen’s Ring Trust Fund which allowed the fund’s committee to select a person each year to recognize for having made significant contributions to the area and said that this year the committee decided to present the ring to Hudye.

            This project is a credit to a number of people, Hudye said. “By the time I was called on, lots of legwork had already been completed.

            “Everyone needs to take pride in this building,” he said, encouraging everyone to take time to “thank the One above” and said that he had learned from Cas Broda the importance of “Thy will be done.

            “Cas was a big stimulant in this project,” Hudye said, thanking everyone for the ring.

            “It has been a pleasure to work with everyone,” he said. “Everyone had pitched in to help raise the money.

            “I look forward to other projects that will come along.”

            In addition to having been involved in the medical centre, Hudye has been a major contributor and promoter of St. Michael’s Camp at Madge Lake; has been a catalyst, donor and promoter of the Big Buck Run; has been involved in the establishing of the Smoke on the Water fundraising event at Madge Lake; has been active with the Kamsack airport flight hut and was a contributor to the Norquay Main Street paving project.

            Hudye has taken a leadership role in initiating and promoting as well as supporting many community projects, the nomination says. He has been involved in fundraising efforts for the medical centre, St. Michael’s Camp and has contributed to numerous community initiatives including the Old Dog Run, Playhouse Theatre and Sparty Park in Kamsack, and at Camp David.

            The Hudye family continues to support his leadership in many community projects and initiatives, the nomination says. Many members of his family have contributed to the success of the Big Buck Run and Smoke on the Water, including Braden, who has been active on the St. Michael’s Camp project, and Fallon, a member of the board of the foundation.

            Hudye has been active in the Ukrainian Catholic Church and is an active supporter of local businesses’ initiatives and community fundraisers, it said.