Rossland's Libby Martin is the proud recipient of the City of Rossland Community Contributor Award.
Mayor Andy Morel presented the honour to the longtime volunteer and contributor to the Golden City at the Dec. 9 council meeting.
The City of Rossland Community Contributor Award is awarded annually to recognize an outstanding community member who contributes significant volunteer time to enhancing the quality of life in Rossland.
Libby Martin has spent more time on the ski hill than most. An accomplished skier herself, she also raised her children on the hill as part of the Nancy Greene Ski League and Red Mountain Racers, and became an invaluable volunteer with the club, and a notable race starter.
Her work at the Rossland Museum and Discovery Centre is also significant and continues to this day. As president, she was a driving force behind the renewal project and started the planning stages in 2012.
"I must acknowledge that Libby's nomination is one of the best I've seen," said the Mayor. "She is highly regarded in our community by many, many different organizations. Her individual contributions to the community are priceless to say the least."
More recently, she was a major contributor to the "Gold Mining to Gold Medals" exhibit on the history of Rossland skiing that opened in February.
Her countless hours of volunteerism, the organizations she has supported, and sacrifices made go beyond gratitude, the honour richly deserved.
"The people that bring their energy, their commitment, their time, often their money as well, I'm sure there are many sacrifices Libby's made over the years to be able to give back to our community," said Morel. "I want to acknowledge how much she has meant to the organizations and the people, because it's all about people that she has given so much to.
"Congratulations and thank you."
Martin replied to the Mayor's accolades in typically humble fashion, pointing to her parents as role models and inspiration for her own selfless actions.
"If your parents volunteer, then there is an increase likelihood of the children volunteering," said Martin. "In my family, my father and my mother were great volunteers and it just kind of rubs off, as it were."
Martin also shared that her mother was recognized by Queen Elizabeth for her volunteer work as part of the Silver Jubilee honours in 1977.
"So I come by it honestly," added Martin.
