Ponoka businessman Greg Braat won’t soon forget being recognized by the Co-Operators in Alberta for his community efforts.
He is heading this week to Kananaskis to accept the company’s Community Achievement Award, which recognizes one advisor in each of the western provinces for strong community efforts.
Hearing he won the award, Braat said he was totally surprised. “I was thrilled. I blushed,” he said.
“The nicest thing is they give me $500 to give to a charity of my choosing,” he added. Braat chose the Ponoka Rising Sun Clubhouse as the recipient of the award.
Out of 104 Alberta advisors, Braat made the grade for his work in Ponoka, which includes giving staff two paid days off to volunteer. Among his other charitable practices are donating $5 for every calendar that a customer comes to pick up at the office to the Ponoka Food Bank, the Buckle-up Bears seatbelt clinic for new parents and a myriad other local campaigns.
Braat has also spent some years with the Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce — president of the chamber for two terms, working with Ponoka Kinsmen, being the manager for the Midget Lacoka girls hockey team and selling popcorn and water during the Ponoka Stampede Parade and donating the money to a different charity every year.
“It’s the nicest award I’ve received,” said Braat.
He is coming into his eighth year in Ponoka as the owner Battle River Insurance and says he has always been grateful to his customers. Giving back is something that has always come naturally to him. “It makes me feel good to give.”