For Todd Weselake, volunteering his time is about putting his skills to good use where they are needed.
A trained pilot, Weselake has been flying with Angel Flight East Kootenay since it’s inception back in early 2020, providing free flights for those needing transport to much-needed medical care far across the mountains from their homes in the Kootenays.
“I have a skill set and the ability to use it to help fill in an unfortunate gap in our medical system,” said Weselake.
“For my whole life I have always had the mindset that of something needs to be done, you do it!
“Combining my love of flying, and helping others was rewarding just in its own right.”
Weselake is one of seven East Kootenay residents that have been recognised as the Regional District’s ‘volunteers of the year’ for 2022 announced on July 14, with Weselake recognised as volunteer of the year for the RDEK’s electoral Area A, which covers the Elk Valley.
“I am truly humbled to have received the volunteer of the year award,” he said.
“I never expected it, and all my time spent volunteering was rewarding in it’s own way.”
The award is a nice way to cap off years of volunteering locally: Weselake will be leaving the Elk Valley and the Kootenays shortly to move to Prince George, where he has secured a new job in aviation.
“It’s an amazing way to start my next chapter after 21 years on the Elk Valley.”
Weselake is one of the co-founders of Angel Flight East Kootenay, along with fellow co-founder Brent Bidston, who was awarded volunteer of the year by the RDEK back in 2020. Weselake won’t be stepping down from Angel Flight, but rather ‘sideways’.
“I won’t be in the area to keep flying, but I am planning to stay on the board as an advisory role,” he said.
Congratulations to Todd Weselake and all the other six volunteers of the year for 2022, as well as to all community-minded folks who give their time to make their communities a better place.
READ MORE: Angel Flight’s Brent Bidston wins Area A Volunteer of the Year
scott.tibballs@thefreepress.ca
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