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Vol. 65, Issue 21
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Cranbrook’s 43rd Citizen of the Year Frank Vanden Broek feted at gala Chamber of Commerce event, Friday, January 29
T R E VO R C R AW L E Y
Roughly 20 years ago, Frank Vanden Broek and his wife, Robyn, were raising their three young children — all under the age of five, while looking after another pair for another family. The stomach flu bug hit the household and the two were run ragged trying to care for the needs of five children who were dealing with an unpleasant illness. In a phone call with his mother, Anne, Frank heard the words that he would try to live by for the rest of his life. “It’s far better to help others than to have to ask others for help,” said Frank, recalling the phrase he heard so long ago from Anne. Frank, along with his family, accepted the Cranbrook Citizen of the Year award on Friday evening at a gala ceremony at the Heritage Inn, as he was feted by members of the public, the Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce and local political dignitaries. Frank, who was recognized for his volunteer work with the Cranbrook Sunrise Rotary Club and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, endured an evening of roasting and congratulatory salutations from friends, co-workers at Sun Life Financial and his fellow Rotarian volunteers. “We’ve really had a lot of good times and created some wonderful memories through all of our rotary projects. We still have lots to do and I just want to thank all of you for the great times we’ve had
TREVOR CRAWLEY PHOTO
The Cranbrook Chamber of Commerce celebrated Frank Vanden Broek (front, centre) as its 43rd Citizen of the Year at an event on Friday, January 29, at the Heritage Inn. As is tradition, Vanden Broek was joined by past recipients of the award and by Cranbrook’s Youth Ambassadors. Back row, left to right: Sarah Ferguson, Princess of Sam Steele; Derek Kortschaga; Jason Wheeldon; Nella Rounsville, Rick Jenson; Kelsey Ackert, Sweetheart of Sam Steele. Front row, left to right: Bud Abbott, Frank Vanden Broek; Skip Fennessy. working beside each other,” Frank said. In an interview with the Daily Townsman before the event, Frank admitted that the nomination, and the subsequent announcement
that he had been named the Citizen of the Year, caught him off-guard. He recalled being invited to dinner with Dave Struthers — the president of the Cranbrook Chamber of
Commerce, and his wife, Sally, about a month ago. He noted the list of past recipients, and said it was an honour to join those names. “It’s pretty special,”
Frank said. “I look at the past recipients and what they’ve done and it’s interesting, even a lot of those people— those are the folks that I go to when I need stuff and need help and the
business people I need donations and in-kind stuff from. “It’s quite a list and it’s pretty special to be added to that.”
Frank is the 43rd Citizen of the Year, taking the mantle from Derek Kortschaga, who was named to the honour last year.
See CITIZEN OF THE YEAR , Page 3