Jaylyn Byer has been volunteering with the Stampede Association for more than 15 years and is honoured to be singled out as one of the volunteers of the year for 2017.
“I am very humbled to receive this award because I believe there are just as many people deserving of the award including the Stampede directors,” Jaylyn said.
Jaylyn started volunteering with Williams Lake Stampede Association the year her sister-in-law Lorina Byer ran for Stampede Queen.
“Once Lorina ran for Stampede Queen it became a family affair,” Jaylyn said.
She started out by helping in the Grandstand office selling tickets and helping the directors with whatever they needed.
She sold 50/50 tickets and programs, helped with clean-up, worked at the gate and in the beer gardens.
“I’ve done a little bit of everything over the years and always enjoyed a cold refreshment in the beer garden after my shifts,” Jaylyn said.
For the last few years Jaylyn has taken responsibility for looking after the volunteers.
“Cindy Brady recruits the volunteers and on the days they are signed in to work I point them in the right direction,” Jaylyn said. “The Stampede directors are a great group of people to work with.”
Between her work as supervisor at the Tourism Discovery Centre for the past 12 years and serving seven years on the Minor Hockey executive while all three of their children played hockey, Jaylyn said she has never had the time to serve as a Stampede director.
READ MORE: Byer named Female Midget AAA Player of the Month
But the whole family, including husband Todd and their children Graham 28, Michael 23, and Victoria, 19 have all been involved in the volunteer effort, being working behind the chutes or on clean-up detail.
For many years her father-in-law Jim Byer served as the Stampede office manager. Victoria and her grandmother Jean Byer enjoyed the Monday night work bees together where volunteers paint, clean and repair the Stampede Grounds in preparation for Stampede. Victoria is now playing hockey with the Cougars while attending Mount Royal University in Calgary.
READ MORE: Williams Lake Stampede Association honours the late Jim Byer
“I am a firm believer in volunteering,” Jaylyn said. “It shows great work ethic in all people, children and adults.”