In this series, The Citizen profiles locals who strive to make our little corner of Manitoba a better place. Each month, we feature a person, family, or organization that helps brighten the world in some way. If you have someone in mind for a future month, please nominate them: jlavin@nivervillecitizen.com.
Kofi Annan, former secretary general of the United Nations, once said, “Children are our future, and their mothers are its guardians.”
Krista Shidel, a Niverville resident and mother of five, has taken those words to heart and spends most of her time supporting and guiding her children and helping other children in the community.
Shidel joined the Niverville Elementary School’s parent advisory council in 2014 and took on the role of hot lunch coordinator. It was only in June of this year that Shidel stepped down from that position, all of her kids having completed their time at the elementary school.
For the last few years, Shidel had also stepped into the role of fundraising coordinator, helping to plan staff appreciation events.
As Shidel’s children have aged up, she has gotten involved in all of their schools. In 2022, she became the fundraising coordinator for the Niverville High School PAC. And this year, she stepped into the role of treasurer for the Niverville Middle School PAC.
Shidel has jumps into all these positions with both passion and commitment, according to Shanda Offenberger.
Offenberger, who nominated Shidel for this month’s Super Citizen honour, has long recognized the tireless work Shidel has carried out with the PACs.
“I’ve never met such a reliable person in my life,” says Offenberger. “When Krista gives you her word, you don’t have to question it. Krista always shows up and never disappoints. She’s incredibly organized and hard working. This girl is constantly lifting others in the community and never expects to be lifted herself.”
Another admirer, Tammy Meyer, is a fellow member of the middle school PAC.
“Every time we need to get together for meetings or outings, she makes everything fun,” says Meyer. “She makes me laugh so much. She is super kind and fun to be around.”
Shidel also helped to coordinate the tree-planting done by Niverville’s Communities in Bloom committee at elementary and middle schools. For two years, she also was the rec hockey coordinator for the Town of Niverville.
As if that weren’t enough, she spent a season coaching little league soccer.
“I began volunteering as soon as my kids started school,” says Shidel. “I just loved spending that extra time with them on field trips, in their classroom, sports, etc. I like to give my time helping at the schools because they do so much for their students. I like to pay it forward when I can!”
Shidel grew up in St. Adolphe and attended the United Church in Niverville. She and her husband Tony initially settled in Winnipeg, but after starting their family they decided to find a quieter place to raise their kids. Niverville was a natural choice for them and the family has now lived in the town for a decade.
The Shidels have five children: Connor, Jensen, Alyvia, Blaikley, and Ella. One of Shidel’s friends, Amanda Parkhurst, says that those five kids are the most important thing in the world to Shidel.
“Krista’s kids are her life, her everything,” says Parkhurst. “She really goes the extra mile to make events and holidays extra special for them and will always go to bat for and protect her kids.”
Shidel’s husband Tony adds that she volunteers so much of her time because she desires these beneficial programs to continue to operate, both for her own children and for the children of the whole community.
“My wife puts everyone else first,” he says. “When times are tough, she’s who you want in your corner. She’s always there to lend a hand.”
