Smazals community service is recognized

STAFF PHOTO/KRIS O’LEARY

Robbie and Melizza Smazal have devoted countless hours to helping others, whether it be through blood drives or in the form of donations to Colby High’s trap or ice fishing club.

So it should come as no surprise that the Smazals were awarded this year’s Community Service award from the Abby/Colby Crossing Chamber of Commerce, except perhaps to the Smazals themselves, who had no idea.

“What an honor tonight,” Melissa said during the chamber’s award banquet on April 9. “To say receiving this award was a shock is an understatement.”

Melissa recounted how her husband Robbie said they had to meet several elite members of the AbbyColby chamber members. At the time, Melissa had no idea what to expect.

“My next thought was what could I possibly have bought at the Abby/Colby Marshfield Clinic for shopping local?”

Instead, Melissa learned about the honor she and her husband were receiving. Their first reaction was to decline, as they have never sought the spotlight for or recognition for their services.

“We do not do things for our communities for recognition. In fact, there are things we have done that many do not even know about. We do things because we genuinely care for our communities,” the Smazals said during their acceptance speech on Saturday.

It would probably take a full day to list all the things the Smazals have done to enrich their communities, but among those things are picking up shifts at the hospital, Robbie’s position as defensive coordinator for the Hornets, volunteering at local churches and donating supplies to local school clubs. But perhaps their biggest impact is felt in the annual Grant Smazal blood drive, and Grant’s Grounds, a playground that was built in 2015 near the grounds of Colby High.

“We are frequently being told by others how much their children love playing in Grant’s Grounds, or how big of an im- pact Grant’s Memorial Blood Drive has made in many lives.”

The Smazals will be the first to deflect praise and note that their successes are only possible because of the work of others behind the scenes.

“We certainly cannot take all the credit for this,” the Smazals said during their speech. “The success of these is largely due to all of you . . . without even being asked, you all grabbed a shovel, a hammer or brought food, drinks and got to work at Grant’s Grounds.”

This year the Smazals broke their record at Grant’s Blood Drive, going from 140 units of blood last year to 166 units of blood from this year’s blood drive. Each unit of blood could save three lives, and for those people that couldn’t donate blood, some donated gift baskets and bean bag games.

Overall the Smazals said the response to their blood drive, which is in honor of their son Grant, has been phenomenal.

“We’re probably both very giving of our time,” said Robbie about and his wife’s volunteerism. “We talk about what we can do, or who we can help.”

“I like seeing people happy, maybe knowing you may have made a difference in a person’s day is a great feeling,” said Melissa.

Thanks to the sheer number of hours Robbie spends going over football plays with head coach Jim Hagen, the Colby Hornets were successful in winning the WIAA D-6 state championships in November. As a result, Robbie won the WFCA assistant coach of the year award. Rather than brag about it, Robbie hardly shared the knowledge.

“I actually didn’t even tell my wife that I won it,” Robbie admitted.

“He’s very modest; he didn’t want any recognition,” said Melissa. “Football has always been Robbie’s passion, but the real reason why he coaches is because of the players.”

“I don’t coach for the reason of receiving awards,” said Robbie.

The Smazals are still shocked at receiving the Community Service award, and noted the many wonderful people in the area that are just as deserving as them.

“There’s plenty of other people that donate their time to volunteering, such as Jim Hagen and other firefighters,” said Robbie.

Robbie and Melissa Smazal said that although they are honored by this award, it’s a reflection of the giving nature of so many in the Abbotsford and Colby communities.

“So even though this award was given to us, we would like to share it with all of you. Thank you!”