Chilliwack volunteer recognized by peers after being ineligible for volunteer-of-the-year award

One Chilliwack woman’s volunteer work has, ironically, gotten in the way of her earning a volunteer award.

Members of the Yarrow chapter of the Back Country Horsemen of B.C. (BCHBC) tried to nominate one of their own, Rose Schroeder, for the Bob James Volunteer of the Year award presented by Horse Council B.C. (HCBC).

But after they submitted the nomination application in December, they later found out Schroeder was ineligible because she sits on the HCBC board – which also happens to be another of her volunteer positions.

So, to recognize Schroeder’s decades of volunteer work and dedication to her community, her fellow equine-loving pals with BCHBC held a special presentation last week during their monthly meeting at Yarrow Community Hall.

On Feb. 12, member Karin Smith presented Schroeder with an album full of pictures and letters recognizing Schroeder’s efforts.

“She leads club rides, organizes work bees, [and] she has taken on projects like The Headwaters campground in EC Manning Park,” Smith said. “She is a mentor for the newbies of our group and loves to take them out and teach/show them all the trails.”

A snippet of Schroeder’s volunteer work includes: board member with BCHBC (both provincial and Yarrow chapter), board member with Chilliwack River Advisory Group, member of Friends of Manning Park, and has helped with numerous campgrounds and equestrian trails including Vedder Mountain trails and Cultus Lake trails, to name just a few.

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“Rose is an incredible example of a ‘bridge-builder,’ figuratively and literally. She leads by example, motivating others and building confidence in everyone around her,” said Bryn White of the Okanagan chapter.

You will also find her keeping roadsides clean as she fills up her saddle bags with bottles and cans then donates them to the annual Yarrow chapter bottle drive fundraiser.

“Rose is stepping away from the Friends of Manning Park and the Yarrow chapter of the Back Country Horsemen, but her legacy will remain as one of the key figures in Manning over the last 20 years, helping to guide the direction the park is heading and putting in the time to make sure it gets there,” said Kevin Wilson, BC Parks Area Supervisor, West Okanagan.

Schroeder and her husband are moving to Salmon Arm in the spring to spend more time with their sons and grandchildren.

“Yarrow will always be my favourite chapter,” she said.

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