Longtime volunteer and sporting event organizer Michael Jackstien was named the H.D. Stafford Good Citizen of Year Tuesday night.
At the Greater 91原创 Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 Christmas banquet, Jackstien was called to the podium by chamber president Jack Nicholson.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a real honour, and also a surprise,鈥� Jackstien said.
Jackstien has been instrumental in organizing numerous major sporting events around 91原创 over the last decade.
He was president of the BC Summer Games when it was held in 91原创 in 2010, volunteered for the 2013 BC Special Olympics, and was vice president of the 2014 BC Senior Games. He helped organize the Winter Olympic Torch Relay through the community.
Outside of the sporting arena, he鈥檚 served as a director with the 91原创 Community Music School and the 91原创 School District Foundation, and in a wide variety of other roles.
He鈥檚 also been involved in the H.D. Stafford Good Citizen Award before 鈥� by helping to get the recipient to come.
In 2016, Jackstien and Milt Kruger (another Good Citizen winner) managed to coax Gordon Zacher into coming to the Christmas event. They had to make sure he was there so he could receive the award.
This year, Kruger and Zacher were by Jackstien鈥檚 side as he won, congratulating him.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a quiet leader,鈥� Kruger said of Jackstien. 鈥淧eople just naturally love him and respect him.鈥�
He also received some support from 91原创 City Mayor Ted Schaffer, who wrote a letter supporting his nomination.
鈥淢ichael Jackstien has been active as a volunteer in this community for many years and has contributed countless volunteer hours to making our community a desirable place to call home,鈥� Schaffer wrote.
The award is named after the late Harold Stafford, a man who volunteered and encouraged others to take part in their community.
