Radar

THEY LIVE TOGETHER, volunteer together and win community service awards together. Laura Poppy and Dr. Bruce Neill have lived in Indian Head, Sask., for more than 40 years. Since retiring from active careers in the agriculture and agri-food industries, they’ve dedicated themselves to supporting their community. This means not only leading the way with groups such as Scouts, Air Cadets and the RCMP Pipe Band, but also rallying their friends and neighbours to do good for each other. Earlier this year, Poppy and Neill were each recognized with a Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal. Poppy also earned the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in 2025. According to Poppy, “Rural communities, in particular, exist on volunteers.” And there is always something that needs doing. “I think Laura’s been on something like 20 different organizations in town,” says Neill. One of the most intense local projects Neill led was restoring The Grand Theatre, a one-of-a-kind historic opera house built in 1904. Indian Head has just 2,000 people, and yet, as Neill says, the townsfolk are remarkably engaged in civic activity. Volunteering is not just good for the community, it’s good for personal well-being and satisfaction, states Poppy. “The human condition is to connect with people,” she says, “and there’s no better way than to participate in local projects. You never know who you might meet, leading to more connections and more positive action.” Both Poppy and Neill also play in their local volunteer RCMP Pipe Band, which has led to trips all over the world, from Scotland and Northern Ireland to Switzerland and Mexico. Naturally, long-lasting international friendships developed — just another in a long list of the benefits of getting involved.