Michael Nyikes and family moved to Sooke from Alberta less than two years ago, and in that short period of time he has already made many strong volunteer contributions in our community. Within weeks of his arrival, Nyikes joined the Sooke Philharmonic Society as a board director and took on the portfolios of membership coordinator, website liaison, concert photographer, and eventually publicity and promotions, and advertising coordinator. Now in his second year, Nyikes has also assumed the role of secretary. The Nyikes’ local business (Little Vienna Bakery) is a strong supporter of the arts, sponsoring a number of the Sooke Philharmonic’s events and activities, and also acts as a local ticket outlet.
During his time here, Nyikes has volunteered as a guest judge for the Sooke Fall Fair’s photography competition, and has also participated as a volunteer on the 2011 Sooke Zoning Bylaw task force. Recently he was appointed to the Economic Development Commission where he has taken on the real estate portfolio and will be investigating economic development opportunities in the local commercial, retail and industrial sectors.
Interestingly, he still volunteers with an Alberta charity named the Kids Cancer Care Foundation as the lead coordinator for an annual charity motorcycle rally and fundraiser. In the past 10 years, he has helped raise more than $3 million for the kids.
When asked why he volunteers so much of his time considering his busy professional life, Nyikes states, “I have been actively volunteering for over 25 years with a wide variety of organizations. I believe in volunteerism for the simple reason that in this life it isn’t what you take, but rather what you give back that brings the greatest rewards.”
Submitted by
Stewart Germaine