Volunteer Recognition Awards

Rivers West District would like to Congratulate and Thank these three(3) Community Champions for the meaningful contribution of their time, energy and passion to sport, culture or recreation, creating a positive impact in a community within our District. 

Recreation:  Joanne Kosolofski – Kindersley

Pictured left to right: Chelsea Omness – Nominator & Kindersley Aquatics Manager, Joanne Kosolofski , Bobbi Hebron – RWD Community Development Coordinator

Joanne Kosolofski is an exceptional volunteer whose lifelong commitment has made a lasting impact on the Kindersley community in sport, culture, and recreation.

A proud resident, Joanne has spent decades supporting local organizations, contributing to nearly every minor sport, and volunteering with groups like the Kindersley & District Health and Wellness Foundation. She has also played key roles in hosting major events, including the Canada Cup, World Junior A Challenge, and provincial and national curling championships, while serving on fundraising and facility development committees that strengthened local recreation opportunities.

Her most remarkable contribution is the creation of Pathway to Wellness. Inspired by her family’s experience traveling to Saskatoon for cardiac rehabilitation after her husband’s heart attack, Joanne recognized the need for accessible care closer to home. She started a simple walking group to ensure no one had to exercise alone, which quickly evolved through partnerships with the Town of Kindersley and the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

Today, Pathway to Wellness serves hundreds of participants each week, offering inclusive programming such as fitness classes, aquafit, yoga, youth and special needs programming, and more. Participants travel from surrounding communities to attend, and in 2024 the program was recognized as a Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre.

Through her vision and leadership, Joanne has built a sustainable program that removes barriers, supports community connection, and improves health outcomes. Her ability to identify needs, build partnerships, and inspire others has created a lasting legacy that continues to benefit Kindersley and the surrounding area.

Culture:  Erin Hadden – Biggar

Pictured left to right: Michaela Hoppe – Nominator, Erin Hadden, Bobbi Hebron – RWD Community Development Coordinator

Erin embodies everything this honour represents. Through her time, energy, and passion for the arts, culture, and community of Biggar, she has made a lasting impact.

Since arriving in Biggar with her family, Erin has become a pillar of the local creative community. She is present at nearly every event, quietly and wholeheartedly volunteering wherever needed—whether selling tickets, greeting guests, or working behind the scenes. Her belief in community is evident in every task, big or small.

Within the theatre community, Erin’s contributions are extensive. She is involved both on stage and off—singing in choirs, directing productions, and leading programs that teach youth technical theatre skills like stage management, sound, and lighting. She also builds sets, organizes volunteers, manages ticketing, and steps into any role required.

Erin is the person you call when something is missing. She steps up without hesitation, quickly learns new skills, and delivers with excellence. She is committed to growth, regularly attending workshops and finding new ways to support the organizations she cares about.

What truly sets Erin apart is her heart. She ensures everyone feels valued and supported, bringing warmth and calm to every space. She often takes on the unseen but essential work that keeps non-profits running.

Beyond her volunteerism, Erin is a devoted mother, wife, and friend who balances it all with grace while continuing to show up fully for her community.

Erin’s contributions reflect the essence of a Rivers West Community Champion—her passion strengthens the arts, her generosity uplifts others, and her leadership inspires those around her.

Sport:  The 2026 Sask Winter Games Board Portfolio Holders  – Meadow Lake

Pictured left to right: Eight (8) of the Portfolio Holders who could be in attendance at the presentation and Antje Rongve – RWD Executive Director

The Portfolio Holders of the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games Board including Ruby Sinclair, Amanda Gutek, Kaitlin Harman, Todd Forbes, Danene Kopperud, Cheryl Derocher, Lisa Buffin, Bobbie Bremmner, Nancy Madsen, Seleste Eftoda, Dion Petz, Kole Norman, Chris MacFarlane and Miles Nachbaur definitely deserve this recognition.

The Board Portfolio holders spent over a year preparing for the 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games meeting in the evenings and planning with a variety of community groups. This group spent hundreds of hours meeting, planning and reaching out to others. The group raised money, sought other volunteers, coordinated meetings, connected with provincial and local sport leads, built relationships and most of all provided a memorable experience for over a thousand athletes.

The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games were a tremendous success as well. The team was able to provide an excellent experience for athletes, fully utilize the wonderful facilities in Meadow Lake and Flying Dust and survive two snow storms that threatened the second half of the Games. This group carried themselves with passion and professionalism and left a legacy of volunteerism in our communities. The vision and dedication of the Board Portfolio Holders was truly inspirational.

**The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games were the first ever multi-sport event hosted jointly by a First Nation and a municipality. It was amazing to see the partnership between the two communities throughout the entirety of the Games and the planning beforehand. The Games included so many cultural components including a Pipe Ceremony, Smudging, Jigging, Powwow Dancing and multiple other cultural teachings and activities. It was inspiring to see leadership from the Meadow Lake Tribal Council, the Province of Saskatchewan, Flying Dust First Nation and the City of Meadow Lake come together at the ceremonies to discuss relationship and reconciliation. The 2026 Saskatchewan Winter Games were truly an opportunity to demonstrate the way in which sport can bring communities together. The hope is that a  relationship and reconciliation can be part of the legacy of the Games for years to come.