ESTEVAN — After more than six decades of volunteering in Estevan through health care, church and community organizations, Don Kindopp has received one of Canada’s highest honours for volunteer service.
Bernadette McIntyre presented the federal Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers to Kindopp during a ceremony May 15 at Government House.
Kindopp was one of two people to receive the medal that day and one of three people recognized overall.
"These two men have more than earned this special honour by donating decades of their time, talent and energy in support of countless groups, projects and events in their hometowns,” said McIntyre, who made the presentation on behalf of Governor General Mary Simon.
Volunteering has been part of Kindopp’s life almost since the moment he moved to Estevan in 1962 to pursue a teaching career.
One of his earliest volunteer roles came the year after he arrived in Estevan, when he ran a gymnastics class for young people at the Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
“At that time, I was a lot slimmer than I am today, and that was an enjoyable time and just a fun time,” Kindopp said in an interview with SaskToday.
He has served as treasurer of the St. Paul’s United Church board since 1990.
Kindopp joined the new Estevan Regional Nursing Home committee at its inception in the summer of 2006 and became its chairman in 2011.
In 2007, he became chairman of the St. Joseph's Hospital board, a role he continues to hold.
Kindopp said he has also enjoyed contributing to the Meals on Wheels program for a number of years.
“I think it’s a crucial service. It’s a joy to deliver to our elders in the city here, and I always say a few words to them each time we make a delivery,” said Kindopp.
He said he knows he may someday need the same kinds of services he now helps support.
Someone may have to deliver meals to his door, or he may need hospital or long-term care services himself.
“I feel I’m paying it forward, that I’ll do my part now because I know people will help me later on,” he said.
As long as he is able, Kindopp said he plans to continue volunteering.
“One of the greatest resources that Canada has is its people, and within that group of people across Canada, the heart and the sinew of our communities are the volunteers,” said Kindopp.
He said it is impossible to put a value on the countless volunteer hours contributed across the country and the spirit, enthusiasm and care volunteers bring into communities.
“I hope that my example, and the example of others that I look up to for their volunteerism, spurs others in the community to be part of the movement of being a volunteer and helping our communities.”
Receiving the award has also caused him to reflect on the many others in the community who volunteer their time and support important causes.
Kindopp noted he was informed of the award last year. When contacted by the Governor General’s office, he was given three options: attend a ceremony in Ottawa, have the medal mailed to him or wait until a ceremony in Regina in 2026.
“I thought it important for other people to see this award being presented in a bit of a ceremony, so I said I would receive it in the early part of 2026,” he said.
Most of his family was able to attend the ceremony, making the experience even more meaningful.
“When you volunteer in the community, there’s always some impact on your family. So, to my … wife Lynn and my family, I’m certainly thankful for all of the support and encouragement that they’ve given me during this period of time.”
Kindopp said he is unsure who nominated him for the award and would prefer not to know, but he remains grateful for both the nomination and the recognition.
“It’s sort of like hearing the door bell ring, you go to the door and there’s a warm apple pie there,” he said. “You don’t know who delivered it, but you look at all your neighbours in a new light.”
Other people recognized during the May 15 ceremony at Government House in Regina included Lorne Carrier, who received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, and Dale Mennie of Kelvington, who received both a Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers and the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation.
