Youth sports volunteer and ‘devoted’ mother named Co-op Community Champion

CHETWYND, B.C. — A devoted mother who volunteers with local sports clubs has been named January’s Co-op Community Champion. 

Carmen Gerstel has been on the board of the Chetwynd and District Minor Hockey Association for about four years, fulfilling various roles including as head parent during her first year and president during 2023-24. 

“[The award is] awesome,” Gerstel says. “I’m happy that’s what some people think.”

She started helping with the association when her eldest son Brady, now 20, joined the association in his teens. Her youngest son, six-year-old Luke, also started playing in 2023.

Gerstel says: “I just like being a part of something.

“That’s why I joined the board. It was just something to be a part of, and one of my best friends, she was on the board too.”

The 42-year-old also helps out with the Chetwynd Youth Soccer Association.

Gerstel says: “I’m not on the board with that one. I just, if a position needs to be filled, I’ll do it.”

She even stepped in to coach Luke’s young team last year despite not having a wealth of experience with the sport. 

“Either I did it or no one did it,” Gerstel says. “And then they wouldn’t play, right?

“At that age as well, it’s just getting them out there and enjoying themselves.”

Gerstel, who has lived in Chetwynd for almost three decades, volunteers her time around her job as an insurance broker at HUB International.

Her nomination reads: “She is the first one to volunteer her time to support minors in sports, creating schedules, orchestrating events and cheering her heart out for the kids playing!

“She is a hard worker and a devoted mother.  

“If you are lucky enough to spend any time around her you know that she delivers care and compassion with a little sass, which is what we love about her! 

“She is a Community Champion, no doubt about it.”

Congratulations to Gerstel for being named January’s Co-op Community Champion. Each month, the winner is featured on Energeticcity.ca and receives up to $100 in vouchers from the Co-op. 

Anyone looking to nominate a community-minded person who deserves recognition can go to Energeticcity.ca.