Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
It is for those three simple concepts that the community recognized Cochrane volunteer Paul Hewko.
Hewko was named Pathfinder of the Year at the Cochrane Community Awards earlier this year, an award to recognize the volunteer’s dedication to preserving the environment and not letting anything go to waste.
“After volunteering for so long it made me feel appreciated. Finally the community realized volunteers are worth something and as far as (the award) going to my head, it didn’t do a damn thing,” Hewko said with a laugh.
The 82-year-old Cochranite has been volunteering with Home Treasures for the past decade as a handyman for the non-profit charity. The organization accepts household donations to help fund “worthy causes and initiatives” in Cochrane while also supplying free household furnishings for residents identified to be in crisis and is a source of funding for programs targeted to help educate individuals on ways to live more effectively within their means.
Hewko said when he first arrived in Cochrane more than 13 years ago, he moved into furnished subsided housing thanks to Family & Community Support Services (FCSS).
“Volunteering is my way of giving back,” Hewko said.
And give back, he does.
Organizers at Home Treasures said Hewko typically volunteers five to six days a week for seven to eight hours a day, with the exception of one day off earlier this week to celebrate his 82 birthday.
“I stay young here, and it keeps me from the grave,” Hewko said.
“Before I used to have all kinds of health problems, I retired about 17 years ago and now there is always something new to do.”
Despite being nominated among several other potential “Pathfinders” Hewko was chosen because of his green initiatives.
For example he repairs the donations brought in and if it is not repairable, he strips down the different materials and takes them to the Cochrane recycling depot.
“I make about two trips a week with my truck to the recycling plant, sometimes it is full, sometimes it is not as full but now we hardly throw anything out,” Hewko explained.
“Cochrane is known for its small town feel and big sense of community. In a world where the pace of change steps up daily, Paul Hewko has shown us that ‘environment’ is all around us and we can all contribute to a more sustainable living,” the nomination read.
“When young people in our community see a senior who is as engaged in improving our waste management as Paul is, they understand that we can each make a difference after all.”
Hewko was selected as Pathfinder of the Year after being nominated by Cochrane residents and chosen by a selection committee.
