Ucluelet’s 2017 Citizen of the Year is a bunch of them. A Udell bunch.
Mark and Kristi Udell and their three sons: Tucker, Percy and Sebastian, received the honours during the Ukee Days closing ceremonies.
“This entire family gives back to the community of Ucluelet in so many ways,” said Ucluelet councillor Marilyn McEwen who announced the award. “They’re very inspiring and teaching their children values and thinking about others all the time.”
McEwen noted both Kristi and Mark have been key sources of support for Ucluelet’s daycare centre and added Mark, a volunteer firefighter, “always asks, ‘How can I help,’ or, ‘What do you need,’” while lending a hand wherever one is needed.
“We do this because we love all of you,” Mark told the audience. “You guys are awesome.”
He told the Westerly News that the community fuels his family’s support of it.
“I just can’t say enough good things about this community,” he said. “Before I moved here, I hardly ever volunteered for anything, but the people here make me want to volunteer. I just want to help everybody out in any way I can.”
He added that it meant a lot to him to see his entire family recognized.
“I don’t think I’ve ever won anything that means this much to me. I’m very proud of my family and this community,” he said.
“Here’s a community where our kids can play on the streets. Here’s a community where our neighbours talk to each other and we all help each other out. It’s a friendly community. Everybody loves everybody here…We are the best place in the world to live.”
Kristi said it was a privilege for her family just to be nominated, let alone crowned, Citizen of the Year.
“I’m honestly stunned,” she said. “We do it because we want to help out; not because of anything else.”
The lifelong Ucluetian stressed the importance of locals helping locals.
“I’ve always loved living here,” she said. “The people are great. The scenery is like living in a vacation almost all the time, but it takes a lot to make that community actually happen…We all need to work together.”
She added Ucluetians are family, no matter what their last name is.
“Whether they’re blood or not, they’re family and you love your family.”