BRCF Dinner celebrates community builders

By Leslie Cholowsky

The Battle River Community Foundation (BRCF) held a Community Builders dinner on Saturday, October 29 in Killam to honour Sharon and Jack Moser.

The evening drew more than 250 people in all, and by early estimates, raised over $40,000 towards a new BRCF fund in the Moser’s name.

Mosers accepted the honours being offered in the humblest way possible, turning the focus from themselves to other members of the community who they said both helped them on their journeys as volunteers, but who were also community builders in their own right.

The couple was piped into the packed venue by Battle River Pipe and Drum Band members Ian Malcolm and Kari Fox Newby.

BRCF board member Neil Lunty acted as master of ceremonies for the evening. “Jack and Sharon, I’m sure that like most past honourees, when you eventually, and after much persuasion and with a lot of reluctance, agreed to be our honourees for this year’s rural dinner, I’m sure you didn’t quite know what you were getting in for.

“These fundraising dinners that we hold have a twofold purpose: one is to recognize worthy persons who’ve spent years contributing unselfishly to their local community, and you both certainly qualify on all counts, Jack and Sharon.

“The other purpose of these dinners is to establish new funds within the BRCF. This year, a fund will be founded in Jack and Sharon’s name, which will provide them the opportunity to keep on giving back to their community in perpetuity.”

He added, “The ‘perpetuity aspect’ of the funds within the foundation can more clearly be seen if one reviews past community builder dinner honourees.

“Some of the honourees have passed on, but their funds continue, and are still giving back to their communities in their names.”

Lunty gave a special mention of 2015 nominee, the late Ken Drever, BRCF Ambassador Emeritus, who had strong ties to both Camrose and to Flagstaff County. “Many of you here knew Ken well, or were at least aware of his overwhelming generosity. Ken was one of the original founders of the BRCF in 1995. He was always one of the biggest boosters of the Foundation; and if he was not the biggest contributor over his lifetime, he had to be very close to it.”

Lunty pointed out that several of Drever’s family were in attendance and also that Saturday would have not only with their money, but with their time and the talents we’ve already talked about. We are sitting in a hall tonight in which Jack’s dad played such a major role. There are other things we would find as we look around town. That is something that is taught, it is literally taught.

“This family learned it, and they learned it from Mom and Dad. It goes back in a long history. What I love about the BRCF is that they not only honour those who have done these things in the past, they hand out money in the present, and there’s nothing but a bright future that lays ahead.”

After the live auction, Jones auctioned a half of a beef, donated by he and his wife. The beef itself is donated directly to the Flagstaff Food Bank, but those present could also contribute $100 each to the BRCF as part of the donation.

Two of the Moser’s four sons were able to come, and both Justin and Adam thanked their parents. “We appreciate all the time that you put in when I was a kid,” Justin said, adding that he didn’t fully appreciate it until he was doing it with his own kids.

Adam Moser said, “It’s not every day you get a chance to roast your mom and dad.” He, too, thanked them for teaching him to contribute to his community.

Sharon and Jack Moser then had an opportunity to respond.

Jack said, “Jim, you did say this isn’t going to be a roast, and it isn’t. You are very dedicated to this Foundation and it took you a long time…I asked you so many times, ‘What part of no don’t you understand; I don’t want to do this’?

“Jim has been a true friend my whole life, even if he is from ‘across the creek’. I love the guy like the brother I never had.”

Jack told a story about when he and Sharon wanted to get married in Hawaii. “Of course, I had to go to my dad and tell him what was going on. That was my first mistake.

“He wouldn’t hear of it. What could be so stupid? He said getting married was a big deal.

“He told me, ‘You’re going to get married in a church, not on a beach; you’re going to have a reception.’

“At the time, I was 24 years old, I couldn’t understand that. I said, ‘So what you’re saying is that we’re getting married for you, not for us?’ And he said, ‘Someday, you’ll find out that life isn’t all about you.’

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Jack and Sharon Moser were celebrated at the BRCF’s Community Builders Dinner, held in Killam on Saturday, October 29. During the evening Heather Chevraux, left, and Jim Hampshire, right, gave tributes to the couple.

been his 93rd birthday. In his honour, Pat MacKinnon created a special birthday cake honouring Ken. Lunty introduced auctioneers Dale Jones and Darrin Holben, to hold a special auction for the cake as well as the traditional auction of the first two tables to eat.

Lunty said that Jones has acted as auctioneer at all but one Community Builders Dinner, and related that Jones had a serious farm accident in June, with “a long recovery process”. He added, “We are delighted that he has returned to our stage.”

As Jones began the auction, he said, “Here we have this special cake, and a moment for us to celebrate a very dear friend.”

BRCF secretary Stephen Kambeitz filled in for chair Kevin Gurr in his welcome. Kambeitz talked about the origins of the Foundation, the growth of the fund, and how it gives back on the strength of its growth, without ever losing its principal. This ensures that the individuals who have set up funds, like the Mosers, and other community builders, will contribute to their communities in perpetuity.

Lunty reported that of the grants paid out by the funds, over $2 million has come to the Flagstaff County area.

He called on Heather Chevraux to give a tribute to Sharon and Jack. She said, “The first words that came to mind as I thought about Sharon and Jack were: helpful, generous, adventurous and, of course, a lot of fun to be around.”

She talked about meeting Jack as her son’s hockey team’s manager, and how he reached out to her when she was struggling, offering to take her oldest to every practice.

Chevraux said that Sharon is “one of the most generous people I know. Sharon’s generosity extends beyond her family and friends.” As an example, she listed a number of organizations in which Sharon has been involved.

She spoke about Sharon’s manner, that she is “kind and gracious of manner; soft-spoken and respectful. Sharon just has that positive energy vibe that makes you feel good to be around.”

BRCF Director Jim Hampshire gave the next tribute. He introduced himself first, saying, “I’m from… a little bit east of here…a special evening like tonight is not a roast, but a recognition from the community accomplishments of Jack and Sharon; but we would be remiss if we didn’t tell a couple of stories.”

Kidding aside, Hampshire painted a picture of an enduring friendship, of a couple who shared their time with family and with community.

“The Killam community is so lucky to have families like the Mosers, who continue to be such good volunteers–always ready to be involved and give their time and see projects through to completion. They are strong supporters of facilities, groups, their church, and the many activities of their children and grandchildren.

“Sharon calls Jack a social butterfly,” Hampshire added, “This is evident by the wide variety of friends here tonight.

“This well-deserved couple are putting their time and generosity into making our communities better, just like the Foundation’s philosophy.

“I count myself fortunate to have Sharon and Jack as longtime friends; even though our addresses are geographically different. We have managed to look beyond local rivalries and enjoy each other’s company for over 50 years.”

The live auction followed next, featuring cookies and pickled eggs prepared by Sharon, and also tarts and fudge prepared by Jack’s two sisters, Norma Jean Bieleny and Rita Moser. Moser’s son Justin donated a handmade wooden sign, and Sharleen Chevraux donated a John Deere Wall hanging. Three unusual lots included auctioning off Murray Gaume, Brent Child (and his grain truck), and Jack himself (along with a couple of loads of gravel).

Jones and Holben have a reputation for not only being efficient auctioneers pulling the best dollar for each item, but also entertaining, and Jones has a tendency to go straight for the heart.

Jones thanked board member Sharleen Chevraux for the work she put into promoting the evening.

Jones said he’s had the unique privilege of watching not only what Sharon and Jack have done in the community, “but it goes back to their parents, and it goes back to their siblings. Tonight we are really celebrating something that was taught to this family. Through the years I’ve had the experience–and a wonderful experience–of watching this family learn what it is to be generous,