Mike De Salaberry says he is humbled and overwhelmed to have been named the Volunteer of the Year during the Osoyoos Volunteer and Appreciation Awards Ceremony, held this past Saturday at the Sonora Community Centre. De Salaberry has been donating endless hours as Santa Claus for the past 25 years, including the past 11 years in Osoyoos. De Salaberry is shown above entertaining children at the Osoyoos Baptist Church during the 2012 holiday season. Photo by Keith Lacey.

 

 

Seeing the smiles on the faces of thousands of children has provided Mike De Salaberry with endless memories over the past 25 years.
To be recognized as the winner of the Outstanding Individual Volunteer Award at the Osoyoos Volunteer Appreciation and Awards, held this past Saturday afternoon at the Sonora Community Centre, is a kind gesture he will always appreciate, said De Salaberry.
For the past quarter century – 14 years in Abbotsford and the past 11 years in Osoyoos – De Salaberry has spent countless hours combing his white beard and wearing his red suit by playing Santa Claus for tens of thousands of children.
“I’m kind of overwhelmed to have received this honour,” said De Salaberry, who couldn’t make Saturday’s appreciation banquet. “I’ve always loved young people and I have truly been blessed to have been Santa for the past 25 years.
“I always did it because I enjoyed meeting the children and making them smile. So to receive an award like this is something that is almost overwhelming to me.”
De Salaberry’s wife Margaret is a big reason why he kept returning every Christmas season to entertain children.
“She deserves as much credit as I do … she’s the boss of this operation,” he said smiling.
Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells said the volunteer of the year award couldn’t go to a nicer man or more dedicated volunteer.
“Mike’s first appearance as Santa came when his daughter called him and said, “Our Santa is sick, so you must come now dad.
“Since that time, Mike has warmed the hearts of so many, both young and old.”
After performing for 14 years in Abbotsford, De Salaberry and his family moved to Osoyoos and he has continued the tradition for the past 11 years.
“For the past 11 years, Santa has been seen at the Mariposa Seniors Centre, the Osoyoos Child Care Centre, Osoyoos Elementary School, Oroville Legion, the SPCA in Penticton and many more events,” said Wells. “For anyone who needed Santa, Mike was there.
“We must not forget Mrs. Santa, who has been by his side to comfort the little ones who were scared of having their picture taken with Santa.”
For over a decade, De Salaberry has brought joy and smiles to the residents of Osoyoos and the surrounding area and despite his announcement last year that he was retiring from playing Santa, the community will continue to benefit from having him as a member of this community, said Wells.

The Outstanding Community Group Award was presented to the board with the Osoyoos Museum Society.
This year, the society is celebrating its 50th anniversary in Osoyoos.
The museum quickly outgrew its original space on Main Street and moved to its current location near Osoyoos Lake near the Osoyoos Seniors Centre in 1975.
“With executive director Ken Favrholdt and administrative assistant Kara Burton, the society has supported many activities, including developing a volunteer program, holding concerts, lectures and walking tour, developing a school program, undertaking community research, writing newspaper articles and planning new exhibits and programs,” said town councillor Michael Ryan. “The Osoyoos Museum Society will continue to contribute to the community for many years to come.”
Board chair Matt Hassen said winning this award during the society’s 50th anniversary is special.
The society is looking forward to moving into its new home at the current Osoyoos Home Building Centre in the next couple of years, which is sure to attract more visitors than ever before, said Hassen.
The town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) was the only nominee for the Council Appointed Committee or Task Force Member Award.
The EDAC was formed in January of 2012 with members appointed by council. They include chair Len McLean, vice chair Jason Bartsch, Joanne Muirhead, Holly Plante,  Carol Youngberg, Rob Rausch and Brad McRae.
They met nine times in 2012, including attending, along with mayor and council, a Collaborative Economic Development workshop in Osoyoos and another in Kamloops this past February.
Some of the initiatives of the EDAC is working on include a relocation guide to attract new businesses and families to Osoyoos, a downtown business retention and expansion strategy, and developing social media marketing strategies to attract more people to town.
The committee is also organizing a “Business Walks” program, where town councillors, EDAC members and Chamber of Commerce members will visit local businesses to better understand what is working well and what programs and services would be helpful to the community. This initiative is expected to kick off within the next two months.
The Best Volunteer Project Award was given to the School Breakfast Program that has been providing muffins and juice to students at Osoyoos Elementary School and Osoyoos Secondary School for the past 12 years.
Certificates of merit were also handed out to more than 40 community organizations and agencies that rely heavily on volunteers for their success.
Every volunteer makes a difference to the quality of life we all enjoy in this town, said Mayor Stu Wells.
“You are all individuals with a sense of personal responsibility and civic pride,” he said. “Your commitment to reach beyond yourselves helps build a true sense  of community.
“It’s the volunteers who build the community in this way. We thank you sincerely for all the good work you do for others in the Town of Osoyoos.”