For a quarter-century in his classrooms, Jim Martin would impart on his students the importance of giving back to the community.
Be it in sports, 4-H, Girl Guides or whatever the cause, teenagers, said Martin, can put something back into the community as a volunteer.
It's volunteers, said Martin, a retired educator, that make community spirit happen.
And if there's a name more synonymous with volunteer service in Spallumcheen and Armstrong than Jim Martin, it hasn't been found or uttered.
Martin was awarded the 2025 Armstrong Spallumcheen Citizen of the Year award on Canada Day, Tuesday, July 1, his 36th anniversary with wife Lana. The pair were in attendance at Canada Day festivities in Memorial Park.
"It's an honour to receive this award when there are so many well deserving volunteers in town," said Martin to a crowd of several hundred gathered for the announcement at the park gazebo. "I'm honoured to be here today to accept with the past recipients that are on hand."
Martin, said event emcee Marc Szarek, president of the board of directors for the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce, is "a man whose dedication, humility, and community spirit have made an extraordinary impact on Armstrong and Spallumcheen."
Martin is the past president and longtime volunteer with the Armstrong Kin Club, where he has helped lead countless community initiatives. He has dedicated 16 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department, showing bravery, commitment, and compassion in service to the community.
When Armstrong hosted Funtastic softball tournament games, Martin was there lending a hand. He has supported Cops For Kids, and helped manage the Kin RV Park. And he spreads cheer every holiday season to many families as a volunteer with the Santa Toy Run. That event comes after Martin serves as a director for the Interior Provincial Exhibition, continuing to shape one of the most cherished events in the North Okanagan.
Martin's impact also extended to the classroom.
As a respected educator in School District 83, he guided and mentored many students 鈥� and to this day, continues to maintain strong, meaningful connections with them.
He was honoured in 2023 with a Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal in recognition of his exceptional community service.
Past Citizen of the Year winners on hand for Tuesday's 2025 announcement included Judy Ells (1989), Jessie Ann Gamble (2003), Rea Smith (2013), John Hoile (2015), and Ken Brandel (2019).
Martin and Lana have raised three children and are kept busy with a pair of grandchildren. The couple was planning on an anniversary dinner Tuesday evening.