The Spruce View & District Lions Club has selected Prairie Bus Lines driver Carly Hansen as Spruce Citizen of the Year for 2024. The award has been given annually since about 1980 to one individual who gives selflessly to the community.
Hansen is the mother of seven children and she is a bus driver for Prairie Bus Lines, transporting Chinook’s Edge students to school at Spruce View School. Also, Hansen is also the chair of the Spruce View School Council, she is a Spruce View firefighter, she helps with the Raven Crimewatch group, and she runs a playgroup in town for Moms and young children, to name a few of the many ways she contributes to her community.
“Carly is a community builder,” said Suzanne Levac, President of the Spruce View & District Lions Club. “This award is all about her character and the way she gives back.”
“I was very surprised to receive this award,” said Carly Hansen. “Usually it goes to someone who has more time than I do, to give to the community. But I do love being involved, and I am honoured. I am honoured that people took the time to nomination me. I feel seen and appreciated. Thank you!”
Hansen grew up in North Vancouver. She visited a friend living in Alberta in 2001 and chose to stay. “I just liked the slow pace of rural Alberta life, with not much traffic and no immediate neighbors, but also friends and community who are tight knit.” Originally landing in Sundre, by 2006 Hansen had tried out a few rural Alberta communities and eventually settled in Spruce View. “It is such a nice town. The people here are amazing; they rally together to get things done.”
“Congratulations to Carly Hansen, a remarkable parent at Spruce View School, on receiving the well deserved ‘Citizen of the Year’ award from the Spruce View & District Lions Club,” said Claire Funk, Principal, Spruce View School. “As our dedicated school bus driver, school council chair, and enthusiastic volunteer, Carly truly embodies the spirit of our school motto – ‘pride in self, pride in others, pride in community’. Carly’s unwavering commitment to fostering a sense of pride and community within our school is truly commendable. We appreciate you, Carly!”
“Carly is a volunteer and organizing guru. She is the first person to show up when anything in the community happens and I am grateful to be able to call this amazing person my friend. I can not think of anyone else that is more deserving of this award than Carly,” said Elysse Janzen, a citizen who nominated Hansen.
“Carly is a dedicated community member focused heavily on our kids and community health. Some of her children are now young adults and working and helping in our community. It is great to see that she has passed her passion for community onto her kids,” said Brent Ramsay, a citizen who nominated Hansen.
Levac said the Lions Club is also impressed with Hansen’s children; the Lion’s Club sponsored one of Hansen’s older children to go to a leadership camp. “You can see that Carly is teaching her children to give back to the community,” said Levac. “She is an excellent role model.”
“I just want my kids to know that if you can give a little bit of your time it goes a long way,” said Hansen. “I want them to know that with a little bit of time and effort, you can really make a difference.”
Hansen will officially receive her award at the meeting of the Spruce View & District Lions Club on January 20, 2024.