Nominated by fellow MHADRTA member Delle Lovig , Mel Deydey is the definition of “ volunteer extraordinaire .”
ARTA BRANCHES
2024 MHADRTA
Volunteer of the Year
Brooke MacCallum Communications Coordinator , ARTA
Mel Deydey
Nominated by fellow MHADRTA member Delle Lovig , Mel Deydey is the definition of “ volunteer extraordinaire .”
Mel ’ s extensive volunteer experience long precedes his retirement . During his thirty-nine years in education , Mel was involved in council and administration with the Alberta Teachers ’ Association . He also coached football and volleyball at school , regularly pitching in with team fundraising on the alumni booster club .
One of Mel ’ s passions includes writing , often reflected in his volunteer work . He continues to write the branch newsletter for MHADRTA , which he started back in 2017 to keep community members connected . Mel is newsletter editor and runs media and communications for the Medicine Hat and District Horticultural Association , a group he has been involved in for almost twenty years .
What Mel appreciates most about volunteering is the sense of community it fosters . He believes everyone has their own set of gifts that can truly make a difference for others . “ What volunteering means to me is giving back to the community and sharing the talents and the time that you have in order to make the world a better place ,” says Mel .
Since retiring , Mel has been an active member in MHADRTA , serving a six-year term as branch president . Recently , he was elected as a member of the ARTA Communications Committee .
A farm boy who grew up in Manitoba , Mel graduated from both Brandon University and the University of Manitoba . He spent the first five years of his teaching career in Manitoba , then continued in Medicine Hat until his retirement in 2012 .
Mel is married to the love of his life , Christine , mother of two boys whom Mel is proud to call his stepsons . Besides writing , Mel thrives on outdoor activities , gardening , photography , cooking , and spending time with his wife and family at their cabin in Cypress Hills .
Mel encourages others who are interested to start volunteering and believes it ’ s never too late to get involved . “ In our senior years , it keeps your mind sharp ,” he says .
MHADRTA is proud to present Mel as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year and to recognize the impact he has made in his community through his dedication to volunteering over the years . Congratulations , Mel !
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