Michelle Anstett: a lifelong commitment to her community

Featured image for Michelle Anstett: a lifelong commitment to her community

By Jarrett Heckbert

The Haldimand Press

CALEDONIA—When visiting the Caledonia Lions, it’s not unusual to find Michelle Anstett helping out. It was no different when The Press visited to interview Anstett about her recent Caledonia Citizen of the Year award for exemplary volunteer service. The Press asked her the following questions.

What kind of value do you think volunteering has?

Through the years I’ve helped with the Lions Club and it was my mother who taught us: “You give back to your community because it is your community that builds you up”. My whole family has always been doing something for the community, whether it be coaching … or through the church.

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We (the community) have had a lot of tragedy over the years, like kids and hockey parents getting killed in car accidents or dying of cancer. I don’t know if people look to me, but they always call and ask “Michelle what can we do?” And then I organize.

How many years have you been volunteering?

I remember handing out water on the street for the Lions Club since I was six years old. It’s been a lifelong journey that has never left me; even at this point in my life I have the same, if not stronger, desire to keep serving.