From left: Nora and Rob Rongve had a house party which Canadian Comedian and Satirist Rick Mercer attended. (Submitted/Rob Rongve)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Volunteer award

Rob Rongve to receive Sask. Volunteer Medal in upcoming ceremony

Apr 21, 2025 | 5:26 PM

On Rob Rongve’s wall of champions, there’s a photo of him along with his wife Nora in their living room and beside them, Canadian icon Rick Mercer is grinning broadly.

The comedian and satirist had attended a function for the Battlefords and District Community Foundation a number of years ago, which the Rongves were a part of, and had enquired about what they were doing after the show; to which he was informed that a group of people were going back to the Rongves’ home to continue the festivities.

“Do you have Scotch,” came Mercer’s reply.

“Yeah,” said Rongve.

“Can I come?”

Community events

Carlton Comprehensive High School brings kooky, creepy family to life

A few moments ago

elementary

New school reaches completion in La Loche

18h ago

MAINTENANCE

North Battleford to begin annual water main flushing May 5

18h ago

“Yes,” said the host.

From rubbing elbows with Canadian celebrities to more formal recognition, helping others is returning dividends to Rongve.

At the end of the month, Rongve will receive a Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, a fact he learned of when he and his wife were out for lunch in Saskatoon.

“I had a message from the chief protocol officer for the province of Saskatchewan to give her a call,” he said, adding he called her back on the drive home to the Battlefords.

“I was pretty well blown away and very much honoured of course and humbled,” said the life-long volunteer.

The journey to this moment began in childhood, but it was when he was in the Battlefords that he cemented his role as a helpful neighbour. In 2005, he was the Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce, a time when newcomers to Canada were making their way to the community.

“There was no resources here in town to help newcomers arrive and find housing and get around all the rules that they are subject to as newcomers to Canada,” he said.

Finding a fundraising opportunity, he helped in the creation of the Immigration Resource Centre which came with a budget of $12,000. Since that time, Rongve said it has grown exponentially.

“That’s one I’m very proud of,” he said.

Over the years, he has served as the co-chair of the fundraising committee for what is now InnovationPlex, chaired the United Way and served on various boards including the Saskatoon Symphony and volunteered for recreational sports.

“If I see a need, it’s one thing to say ‘Oh, we should do this’ or ‘Somebody should do this,’ ‘Well, I typically say ‘Well, if somebody should do it, then maybe I can help,’” said the prolific volunteer.

Volunteerism has also allowed him to meet other like-minded individuals.

“I always say to people too that whatever you give, you get back 10-fold,” he said.

The ceremony acknowledging volunteer efforts will take place on April. 29 in Regina at Government House and the recipient is looking forward to the formal affair which will include his family and a couple of close friends.

“It’s kind of cool as well (Lieutenant-Governor Bernadette McIntyre) was just appointed…I’ve actually worked with her,” Rongve said.

“It’ll br nice to know the person that’s actually going to be awarding me the medal.”

The medal recipient said in whatever he does in the world of volunteerism, the Battlefords are given priority.

“There’s always lots to get done and I just have a lot of fun,” he said.

As for the ceremony itself, Rongve just wants to share the special moment with the people he’s closest to, his family.

—

julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social