His family name stands in tall letters on a business at the western entrance to the community he has called home for almost a decade. And Bill Britton, who runs the Britton’s Your Independent Grocer store in Lac La Biche with his wife Kalan, is a fairly tall fella himself, standing well over the six-foot mark. Normally dressed in his store’s corporate red golf shirt, it’s easy to say that he stands out in a crowd.
But this week, Britton is being recognized for more than just his name and stature.
Bill Britton is the 2019 Lac La Biche Pow Wow Days Citizen of the Year.
“Wow,” said Britton when asked for a comment on the designation that adds his name to more than three dozen community “movers and shakers” in recent decades.
“When I received the phone call letting me know that I was being recognized as the Citizen of the Year, I was shocked, emotional and utterly speechless,” said Britton quickly crediting his wife for his family’s strong community passion. “I think my first words were, ‘Are you sure you’re not looking for my wife?’ She really is what I strive be become.”
Whether its sponsorships and donations from the grocery store or personal volunteer time and effort, the Britton name has been involved with organizations and events ranging from large scale golf tournaments to lunchtime barbecue fundraisers. He’s been an integral part of the local KidSport program, the Hope Haven Women’s Shelter, the minor lacrosse league, the Lac La Biche and District Chamber of Commerce and the Lac La Biche Kinsmen Club — just to name a few.
The working family has two kids who Britton says are why the couple get involved in many local events — to not only make thing better for the community today, but also to help provide a better community for his kids and others in the future.
“Honestly … I just try and provide a good example to my kids and others,” he told the POST. “I don’t think any volunteer ever does what they do for the recognition. They do it because they love to see people succeed, they love to see great causes live on and the love to see their community grow.”
Seniors Fish Fry awards
Britton and his family weren’t able to attend the Pow Wow Days Fish Fry on Thursday where he and the Senior Citizens of the Year Tony and Donna Fabbro were recognized. The Brittons were on a pre-booked family trip to Ontario — planned well before he was surprised by the designation. “To be recognized for doing what we love is completely unexpected. This is an incredible honour — one I will hold and cherish for the rest of my life.”
Britton says he is honoured to be mentioned alongside the Fabbro family and winners of the award in past years. He is proud — and humbled — to be recognized for doing what he feels is part of his “everyday life.”
“I think back to some past years’ winners — Bev Tkachuk, Zicki Eludin, Helen Rogers, Randy Wowk, Gerald Wowk, Tom Maccagno — to name just a few that come to mind, and to be mentioned alongside the likes of those fine people is an incredible honour,” he said. “My family and I are very lucky to call Lac La Biche County home and even luckier to consider the citizens of Lac La Biche County part of our extended family.”
Attend Fish Fry Thursday on the Grounds
The Pow Wow Days Senior Fish Fry begins tonight, Thursday, July 11, at 5 pm at the old curling rink building on the Lac La Biche Recreation Grounds. The event will combine the seniors’ fish fry and the community fish fry. A special cake and plaques have been made for this year’s Citizens of the Year and will be presented at the fish fry. All community members are invited to attend the fish fry.
