Steve Osipenko, Acting Commander of the Renfrew County Paramedic Service, recently received the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs Humanitarian Award. (Steve Osipenko photo)
If you ask Steve Osipenko about his latest accolade, he’ll tell you he just has a strong sense of community.
Osipenko, Acting Commander of the Renfrew County Paramedic Service, was one of only five people in the province to receive the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs (OAPC) Humanitarian Award, presented at the recent fall symposium in Collingwood, Ontario.
The Horton Township resident has been a paramedic in the area for 20 years. The award is given to paramedics who show acts of selflessness or make a donation of time or money to a local cause.
Osipenko checks those boxes and then some.
Among what he’s being recognized for is the annual toy and food drive that he and Amber Hultink organize each year, as well as an initiative with the food bank that he’s been doing for the past few years.
Not only does that project support Renfrew’s food bank, but agencies across the region.
Osipenko spearheaded that local effort and the process is repeated several times each year to keep a steady stream of donations flowing to the food banks.
A husband and father of three, Osipenko says receiving the award came as a surprise and getting up on stage before a crowd of some 700-people was quite a humbling experience. He said he certainly doesn’t do the things he does, which includes supporting the local hockey organizations, for any accolades or praise.
Osipenko says he’s very proud to work with some fantastic and driven individuals in the paramedic service.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)