Last week, one of Merritt’s own was recognized by the Governor General as a caring Canadian.

Betty Doberstein, who has been a volunteer with the Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary for 35 years — now serving as the president — was presented with a Caring Canadian award by Governor General David Johnston last Friday, March 4.

“It was really good,” Doberstein told the Herald in a phone interview following the ceremony — though she admitted she was a little nervous.

“He’s so friendly, he’s really down to earth,” she added. “He chatted with me when I went up [to accept the award].”

She said she was curious about who nominated her, and found out that it was B.C. Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, herself a longtime auxiliary supporter and personal friend of Doberstein’s.

Asked what motivated her to volunteer with the auxiliary for so many years, serving in so many different capacities, Doberstein said that it was helping other people that she found so appealing. The auxiliary is a way to see hard work pay off with tangible results.

“We ask the hospital and Gillis House what they need for equipment and we take it back to the meeting and we discuss what we could afford to spend that year, and that’s what we buy — and they’re so grateful,” she said.

Some of those things include lab equipment and a heart monitor.

“Many times people can’t get into Kamloops for appointments, so any way we can help them stay in Merritt to get the tests done, that’s just a bonus for us,” she said.

Doberstein also volunteers as president of the Centennials Booster Club, and helps out with the concession for the Merritt Minor Hockey Association.

“Thank goodness I’m retired now — I don’t know how I did all that when I was working full time!” she laughed.

She said that she hoped to see a younger generation get involved with volunteering. “All the clubs are suffering from people that don’t want to volunteer,” she said. “We need the younger group to get involved.”