Cheryle King (right) presents the Rotary Unsung Hero Award to Frances Sologuk, owner of Osoyoos Home Hardware. The same award was presented to Brian Fry, manager of Buy-Low Foods, who could not be present at the Osoyoos Rotary Club’s Mix and Mingle event last Thursday. (Richard McGuire photo)
Two Osoyoos business people were recognized last week by the Rotary Club of Osoyoos for their contributions to the community.
Frances Sologuk, owner of Osoyoos Home Hardware, and Brian Fry, manager of Buy-Low Foods, were both named as recipients of the Unsung Hero Award.
The awards were announced last Thursday evening at a Rotary Mix and Mingle at the Osoyoos Golf Club.
Sologuk attended with her family, but said she didn’t know until that evening that she would be receiving the award.
Fry was away in Vancouver on business and was unable to attend, but sent a statement that was read.
Local Rotarian Cheryle King, who is Area 5 governor, announced the awards and made the presentation to Sologuk.
Although Rotary has presented Unsung Hero Awards in the past to deserving members, this is the first time the club has given the honour to others in the community, King said.
“We’ve never given it to a community person and we thought it was about time,” she said. “We thought it was time we said ‘thank you.’”
The club plans to make the award to community businesses or other deserving community members an annual one, she said.
“The Unsung Hero Award is given to a business operator who goes above and beyond the call of duty,” King told Rotarians and guests. “Those chosen are special people who do extra things for their fellow man.”
Sologuk and Fry have contributed to community fundraisers without expecting payment, praise or recognition, she said.
King said there are other deserving people in the Osoyoos community, but the club didn’t want to dilute what the award stood for by giving it to more than two recipients.
She said Sologuk and Fry have not only contributed to Rotary, but to many other non-profit groups in the community.
“I don’t think there’s an organization in this town that can say that Frances has turned them down,” said King, adding that Fry also has always offered to help.
Mayor Sue McKortoff, who attended as a guest, also extended appreciation on behalf of the town to the recipients and to Rotary.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
