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Diana Balbar Biography Diana is an active community volunteer and has improved rural living with her efforts. ARAS has named a scholarship after Diana: a $1,000 award given annually to a deserving youth who exemplifies volunteerism. Diana Balbar moved to Strathcona County (SC) in 1977. She began putting down roots in the Ministik area in 1980, acquiring a 40-acre parcel of land, and establishing a small outdoor stable to teach beginners to ride horses. Joining the local community league was a great way to meet people, and before long she was a contributing member of all three local halls – South Cooking Lake, Ministik, and Hastings Lake.

Over the years she drove a school bus to Ministik and Fultonvale schools, and transit in Sherwood Park, but her dream job came with the SC Library, running the Bookmobile service in the rural area. What could be better than driving down country roads, meeting great people, and sharing her love of reading? It was natural for the library-on-wheels to join community-hosted events like parades, but the ties became much stronger. The library depended on community halls as the 'bricks and mortar' of their rural service; halls offered wonderful places to program and provide services where rural residents already gathered. Through her work with the library, Diana was also able to advocate for the needs of the rural area. One of her dreams was to acquire a truly accessible low-floor Bookmobile, which became a reality in 2010. With that, everyone – those with wheelchairs and walkers, children and seniors – could enter with ease, and mobile services could be delivered to senior centres and preschools.

An unexpected bonus was Shell Canada's sponsorship of $300,000 which enabled the library to improve rural service enormously. Equipment was purchased to improve participation in rural events, new collections and services were added, and additional mobile shelving and seating made the Bookmobile even more flexible, functional, and enjoyable. Funds were also used to establish free 24/7 hot spots at seven halls in areas where access to high-speed internet was very limited. This initiative grew when the library partnered with the county in the Rural High-Speed Internet Improvement Project; free Internet access is now available in every hall and seniors' centre in SC.

Diana and her team of volunteers from Bell Bar Ranch have provided musical ride performances at South Cooking Lake Trail Days, along with free pony rides at local events. Diana encouraged young volunteers to take part in the library's community activities as well. Youth could be found at many events, helping children with crafts on the Bookmobile at “Christmas in the Heartland,” helping adults learn Spanish for “Hola” at Antler Lake, running games at the Ardrossan Parade and Picnic, and dressing up for parades. Diana’s ties to Ministik School were particularly strong. Her daughter grew up in the rich community-based culture of Ministik. Janine encouraged her mother to start teaching social dance there, which became a wonderful volunteer job teaching children the joy of dancing that lasted 27 years!

Diana continues to volunteer her time primarily for ARAS, South Cooking Lake Community League, and the Los Villas/Patricia Glen community. She says the best thing about volunteering is the enduring friendships that develop along the way.