Citizen of the Year makes his mark in the community

Times Photo by Cal Braid. AWARD WINNER: Edmund Zaiser poses during his shift working at the Beary Patch.

By Cal Braid
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Edmund Zaiser is this year’s Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and his good works in town are many.

  “I do lots of stuff for the community,” he said. “I volunteer at the hospital; I fill the water jugs for the patients and (deliver) the snack on the weekends. I visit a fellow at Linden View and I go to sing-along. I volunteer for the food bank at Cornfest and volunteer at the Civic for the Halloween party.”

 He has also helped out at Coldest Night of the Year, served the Handi-Bus Association for 10 years, and been part of the MyCityCare gift-wrapping team at Parallel Church. We caught up with him at the Beary Patch, where he works a couple of days per week.

 “It makes me feel good,” he said about contributing to a variety of worthwhile causes and connecting with people.

 “He’s a busy guy,” said local support worker Stevie Farough, who was with Edmund at the Beary Patch when we spoke on Jan. 8. “Eddie definitely has a piece of my heart. He’s a great guy. He’s always willing to help others. He’s always very eager and sometimes we need to tell him to slow down. He loves going to any community event.”

 Turning to him, she said, “You’re always willing to give it a try, and you know your limitations when you need to.” Edmund has been in Taber for much of his life. He moved here in 1978 and eventually got a job at Co-Op, where he worked for 10 years before taking a health-related retirement. However, he didn’t retire to a life of inactivity and disengagement. He has stayed involved because he wants to be, and not for the recognition that it may bring.

  “Edmund doesn’t like the attention,” Stevie said. “So this has been a big thing for Mr. Eddie. He’d just much rather do the tasks and be around people. He was very emotional when he found out. He was not expecting that. We just thought he really deserved an award to show recognition for everything he does.”

 He’ll be surrounded by supporters, friends, and family on Jan. 17 when he attends the Chamber’s awards banquet and has his moment in the spotlight. Afterwards, he’ll head back to the place where he thrives the most: right at the heart of the community.