A long standing member of the Kiwanis Club of Trail was honoured for his 61 years of continued service to the organization earlier this month.
Sam Konkin was awarded a Mel Osborne Fellowship and his contributions to the Trail community were celebrated July 8 in the Kiwanis Beaver Creek Park.
During a steak dinner barbeque in his honour, Konkin received a scroll, the Osborne Medallion with a gold and blue neck ribbon and a lapel pin/tie tack.
Since joining the Kiwanis Club of Trail on June 12, 1953, Konkin served as president for one year and club treasurer for over two decades and chaired many committees.
He was one of the Kiwanians instrumental in the start of, and involved in direction of, the long term care of seniors at Kiro Manor and Portland House.
Konkin has a long commitment to the community and citizens of Trail and was on the board of directors for the first Silver City Days Committee.
The Mel Osborne Fellowship honours one of the founders of the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada Inc. and consists of Kiwanians and others who have contributed to the growth and work of the Kiwanis club.
Their service and dedication is remembered and honoured by being named to this prestigious society, and the award includes a special scroll honouring the recipient and the uniquely designed medallion that is sent by the foundation.
The Kiwanis Foundation of Canada Inc., resulted from a challenge made to Kiwanis Canada by Past International Vice President Mel Osborne of the East York (Toronto) Kiwanis Club.
Mel was sure that a national foundation would unite, strengthen Kiwanis and increase membership in all of Canada.
Mel served with distinction as a Governor of the Ontario-Quebec-Maritime District in 1953, International Trustee from 1960-64 and as International Vice-President during 1964-65.
Early in 1965, Mel suffered a heart attack and retired from the International board.
In 1966, he was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Kiwanis International Foundation where he served until 1970.
Mel’s experience on the International Foundation Board persuaded him to recommend that Kiwanis Clubs in Canada should form a Canadian Foundation to promote the work of Kiwanis on a national scale in Canada.
Kiwanians supported the plan and it was approved.
Mel called upon a number of distinguished Kiwanians to assist him in the formation of the Canadian Foundation. Past Governors and International Officers from across Canada, including Ralph D. Steele, QC; Clifford P. Wyman; Laurent Girouard; Jack P. Delf, Jack E. Willis; and Walter H. Howell, QC played key roles.
The Government of Canada granted the Charter for the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada Incorporated on the 27th, of July 1973.