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Best Citizen : Malcolm Jenkins

Oct 2, 2014 | 10:33 AM

Prince Albert’s Malcolm Jenkins believes in the importance of community and giving back to that community. He is the owner of the local Canadian Tire and is considered to be one of the city’s most cherished citizens.

Recently he was voted as Prince Albert’s Best Citizen in paNOW’s Best of the Best.

Due to the success of Prince Albert’s Canadian Tire Jenkins is always there ready to support and donate his time, money and/or reputation to a variety of charitable causes in the city.

Jenkins said he remembers an expression he heard early on in life, probably from his father Alfred Jenkins, that he truly believes in.

“From those to whom much is given, much is expected.”

“I have worked hard, I have great family, and I have terrific staff here at Canadian Tire,” he said.

“And collectively we are able to do some great stuff and there is some great stuff in the community that needs doing, so we get involved and we do it.”

Jenkins has made headlines in Prince Albert various times over the years due to his continuous generosity. In 2013 he made a donation to the new Pineview Terrace Lodge during the facility’s furnishing campaign. Jenkins donated $100,000 from Canadian Tire, which helped campaign organizers reach and exceed their goal of raising $975,000 in 90 days to furnish the new 60-bed care unit. Due to Jenkins contribution they managed to raise $1 million in only 42 days.

Other organization Jenkins has donated to include the Friday Night Lights campaign, Special Olympics, the Rotary Trail, the Kinsmen Skateboard Park, the E.A. Rawlinson Centre and of course the Alfred Jenkins Field House, which was named after Malcolm’s father.

Last year the Prince Albert SPCA, after years of fundraising efforts, also made their long awaited move to their new location on North Industrial Drive. In 2012 Jenkins joined the SPCA’s New Leash On Life campaign as their honorary chair, he also donated funds towards the project.

Jenkins said another project he would like to see happen in Prince Albert and would probably support is the construction of a new swimming pool near the Alfred Jenkins Field House.

“If and when the finances are OK, I would love to see a pool in that area,” he said. “It’s just a perceptual thing at this point, but it is something to shoot for.”

Jenkins, who will celebrate his 26th year in Prince Albert this Valentine’s Day, said the city is a very giving community.

“They put their hands to the pump when they need to,” he said.

Jenkins said was very honoured, flattered and surprised when he first heard about his win for Best Citizen.

 “I don’t seek these things but it is always nice when others recognize you for something like this,” he said.

Malcolm was declared Citizen Of The Year in 2006, he received a Saskatchewan Order of Merit and was the recipient of the Samuel McLeod Legacy Award in 2011. In addition, he was inducted into the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.