Wendy Denbow’s deep commitment to her community has earned her the King Charles III Coronation Medal, a prestigious honour recognizing her decades of volunteerism and public service in Plumas.
Denbow recently received the medal from Riding Mountain MP Dan Mazier, who calls her dedication “truly inspiring.”
But for Denbow, the recognition comes with mixed feelings.
“I was truly honoured and very pleased to have received it,” she says. “However, there are so many other people in this community and in all other small communities that do as much or more than I do that won’t be recognized and I think that’s sad because the only way that small towns can exist is on the volunteer efforts of the community.”
"The only way that small towns can exist is on the volunteer efforts of the community" - Wendy Denbow
A lifelong dedication to community
Wendy’s volunteer work spans a wide variety of causes and organizations.
She’s been active with the 4-H Club, fall suppers, the annual Plumas Terry Fox Run, and the War Amps program.
But perhaps most remarkable is her fifty years of service with the Royal Canadian Legion and its Ladies Auxiliary.
“When we first moved back when my husband and I first moved back to Plumas in 1972, I decided at that point in time that that was an organization that I strongly believed in,” Denbow notes. “I really had a true admiration for veterans, for those that gave their lives so that the rest of us could be free. I felt if I could join that organization and help out in some way that that was certainly something that I wanted to do.”
Educator and advocate
Beyond volunteering, Wendy has also made a lasting impact as a teacher and community educator.
She worked for many years with Central Plains Cancer Care Services, educating people in rural communities about cancer prevention and awareness.
“We would give talks and demonstrations on the various types of cancer they asked us to speak on,” she says. “I enjoyed it. It was a lot of work, but hopefully I was able to give some information to people along the way.”
Supporting families through tough times
One lesser-known role Wendy takes great pride in is her involvement with the War Amps’ “matching mothers” program, which supports parents of children who have undergone amputations.
“That program was one that I was really proud to have been part of,” she remarks. “If it is by accident that your child becomes an amputee, it’s very traumatizing, very scary for the parents to go through that. Just to have somebody to talk to, not that I had all the answers, but just somebody there to talk to when you’re at a low time, that was extremely valuable.”
Encouraging others to get involved
For Wendy, volunteering is about keeping small communities alive and thriving.
“If I see a need where I can help, whether it’s donating or volunteering or helping to organize or whatever, it’s a way to keep a small community going,” she says. “We are a very small community. We don’t have a whole lot of industry. Farming is the main source of income around here, but it’s just absolutely essential that people help out.”
She hopes her story encourages others to step up.
“I hope that this will encourage those that are new to the community or wondering where they can help or what they can do. Throw your hat in the ring and give it a go and help the community thrive.”
A humble but deserved recognition
Denbow’s quiet, steady dedication has made a lasting difference in Plumas, and the King Charles III Coronation Medal is a fitting tribute to her many years of service.
“It was a pleasure to be in Plumas to present Wendy Denbow with the medal,” Mazier says. “Thank you, Wendy, for your unwavering dedication to our community. Congratulations on this well-deserved honour.”
The King Charles III Coronation Medal is a special honour awarded to Canadians who have made significant contributions to their communities and the country. Created to mark the coronation of King Charles III, the medal recognizes individuals like Wendy Denbow who demonstrate outstanding dedication through volunteerism, leadership, and service that positively impacts those around them.
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