Long-serving Brooks volunteer hopes to inspire others

But it’s not everyday one single volunteer fills all those roles, and several more.

Reg Radke grew up on a farm outside Hanna, AB. He started volunteering at an early age, following in his father’s footsteps who was an active volunteer with the local school board and road association.

Growing up Radke actively volunteered with local sport teams and became a member of the Silver Sage Agri Society.

Radke says he started with no skills, only a willingness to show up and help.

“In a rural community you see how people pull together to do things and make things happen and you can get involved in those small rural communities, kind of informally.”

That sense of community resonates with Radke several years later.

He was named Citizen of the Year in 2022 and recently won the Star of Alberta Volunteer Award for being a pillar within the community of Brooks. He’s a volunteer member of the Palliser Triangle Health Advisory Committee, Brooks Rotary Club and has served as president of the Brooks & District Chamber of Commerce.

He was also part of the Economic Development Committee and chaired the Newell Regional Economic Development Initiative.

In addition, he contributed to the development of several community service projects like the Everyone Plays Park and the Brooks Musical Festival.

“Brooks is a great place to live and there’s opportunities here to participate and get involved,” says Radke.

Brooks Mayor John Petrie says throughout the years Radke has made a significant impact within the community.

“Reg does it because he’s sincere. He really wants to help the community out and I think that’s what people like about Reg,” explains Petrie.

Radke is now retired but certainly not slowing down. He empowers local immigrant youth between the ages of 19 to 26 by helping them adapt to life in Canada through the John Ware Youth Empowerment Hub, an initiative of Global Village.

“I think the work they do is great and it’s always a struggle for smaller nonprofits to find funding and to develop activities and so I enjoy and support what they do,” says Radke.

Radke is also currently involved in the Affordable Housing Committee that provides affordable housing for around 200 residents of Brooks, and he is actively working with the city to develop 14 more affordable housing units to meet the communities growing demand for affordable housing on a plot of land donated by the city.

“Reg has always been pretty humble and modest when he volunteers. He sincerely wants to help the community,” add Petrie.

With his overwhelming community spirit, Reg hopes others will follow in his footsteps and become inspired to get out and make a difference.

“I don’t know what drives me to help. It’s just an interest in the community and trying to make the community a better place.” says Radke.

by Brendan Miller

Long-serving Brooks volunteer hopes to inspire others

Our Community