'She does it all': Norquay woman gives back to community as latest ‘Hometown Hero’
The impacts Reagan Foster has had on the community of Norquay, Sask. are vast – but she isn’t someone home grown in the area.
Surprisingly, if the cost of land was a little higher in Saskatchewan’s south central town in 2004, she may have never stepped foot in Norquay, with a population of just under 500.
“Originally, the land was cheap and we were looking to expand our farm,” Foster told CTV News with a smile on Tuesday.
“Norquay is one of the most amazing communities. When we moved here, I walked into the grocery store and someone already knew my name.”
That’s just how small towns like Norquay are, said Foster.
She said she fell in love with the small town hospitality, and she wanted to return that sense of community in the form of volunteering.
A member of the Regina Kinettes at the time, Foster noticed the club didn’t exist when she made the move. After a brief stint in Sturgis with its club, Foster formed the Norquay Kin Club in 2008. Since then, it has donated around $1.2 million to Telelmiracle.
It’s not just her involvement with the Kin Club, however.
Foster has ran projects to beautify the community, sits on numerous boards, started an organization to help feed low income families in Norquay, keeps the kitchen stocked at the local communiplex, and on top of it all, she’s a mother to four children, helps run the family ranch near town, and she owns and operates Norquay Agencies.
“She is one of the most selfless, giving, gracious, kind human beings I’ve ever met,” said Foster’s friend, Jennifer Lindgren.
“She will put everybody else ahead of herself.”
Foster’s kids have nearly all moved away, but they all remain active in their own communities, continuing to work through the foundation their mother created.
Get the CTV News app for Saskatchewan breaking news alerts and top stories
Her latest initiative ensures kids at the local K-12 school don’t go hungry.
“We’ve developed a breakfast program,” Foster explained.
“We need to make breakfast available to these kids. Lots of kids are coming to school hungry.”
For those around her, the title of ‘Hometown Hero,’ fits perfectly.
“Her face is everywhere, her smile is everywhere. She has brought energy and love and kindness … Reagan is definitely Norquay’s hero,” said Lindgren.
Foster’s co-worker, Cally Severson was one of the original nominators for the title of Hometown Hero, and she said some days answering phones at Norquay Agencies ends up being people needing Foster’s help — or an ask to volunteer.
“There’s so much work she does behind the scenes — it’s unreal … she does it all,” said Severson.
When asked what advice she’d give others looking to help out in their own communities, Foster gave some simple guidelines to make your community a better place to live.
“It’s pretty easy, you just have to make yourself available — let others know that you’re willing to help.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
BREAKING Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza’s vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as ceasefire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife’s edge.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man books $7,700 luxury villa on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he was charged more than $7,700 to book a luxury villa on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Putin begins his fifth term as president, more in control of Russia than ever
Vladimir Putin began his fifth term Tuesday as Russian leader at a glittering Kremlin inauguration, setting out on another six years in office after destroying his political opponents, launching a devastating war in Ukraine and concentrating all power in his hands.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.