Margie Hildebrand was reluctantly in the spotlight Sunday afternoon as she received the Citizen of Distinction Award from the Morden Area Foundation.
Like many other past recipients of the honour, Hildebrand prefers to stay behind the scenes as she works to make a difference in her community.
“It feels a bit strange to be singled out in this way. I prefer to kind of sneak in and sneak out and do things in the background,” she shared. “I just do all the things that I do just because that’s what I enjoy doing. I enjoy being part of the community … I certainly didn’t go looking for it, and it feels kind of strange to be receiving all these accolades.”
Hildebrand’s lengthy list of community involvement includes volunteering with the Pembina Valley Arts Council and Pembina Hills Gallery, the Pembina Valley Studio Tour, the Morden Horticultural Society, her church community, the Morden Corn & Apple Festival, Winterfest, Arbor Day, and many other celebrations.
It was a testament to her dedication and commitment that she received not just one but two nominations for this award.
Speaking to one of the nominations, Yvonne Stoesz commented on how whatever Hildebrand touches turns into something beautiful.
“Above all, Margie cares for others, for the earth, for the community. She’s a person who knows what needs to be done, who sees the good around her.”
Karen Denise Cyr, chairperson of the arts council speaking along with gallery director Anna Ishkhanyan, noted how Hildebrand does so much to help people to be inspired and to want to be creative, and how she has played a vital role in providing and supporting arts programming in the community.
“She’s endlessly creative and talented in absolutely everything she does,” added Ishkhanyan. “It’s also your generosity, your dedication, and your willingness to help others … whenever the gallery faced a difficult moment or urgently needed help, you were always there … you helped because you genuinely believe in the community.”
Hildebrand said she likes to think she has perhaps inspired others to pursue art.
“I hope so,” she said. “There’s people here who have taken my pottery classes, and it’s nice to see that they are going full bore with it and are inspired.
“I think sometimes people are not sure how they can get out and help make things happen,” she observed. “I also enjoy organizing opportunities for people to get together and make things or learn something new or just make connections with each other.
“I feel the key word is citizen. Being a citizen of the community of Morden is wonderful, and I hope that maybe some of the things that I do help it to be a better community for all.”
As part of the award, Hildebrand received $1,000 from the foundation to gift to an organization of her choice. She chose the arts council, which then donated it back to the foundation with the thought of starting up an endowment fund to help support arts students.
