2024 Cast it Forward Recipients

BEN SUMNER

Nominated by: Stephen Savoie

Stephen Savoie (left) alongside Ben Sumner (right).

Hello Curt and Juanita,

I hope all is well with you this Christmas Season! I'm not sure you would remember me, but my name is Stephen Savoie, I'm the young guy in that photo with my dad (Steve Savoie). He caught that Pike at Kississing Lake, and we've always enjoyed how it made its way onto your website to this day! I'm 31 years old now, and that fish would've been caught about half my life ago which is pretty crazy to think about. I've been fortunate enough in my life that my dad has taken me to Kississing when I was younger and to this day, I hold your lodge with the highest regards. What an incredible and special place it has become in my memory. When I came across your Cast it Forward initiative, I instantly knew I had to nominate my mentor, Ben Sumner, in hopes that he could experience Kississing Lake Lodge and to take his mentor, Rich Henry, with him to experience what I got to all those years ago.

The first time I came across a conservation officer was while jigging for lake trout in the narrows on Kississing Lake, and I instantly knew that's what I wanted to become. While attending Fleming College's Conservation and Environmental Law Program, I ended up becoming very sick. I lost 45lbs in 3 months and was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (juvenile) near the end of the program. I was in such poor health; the doctors were astounded that I wasn't in a coma at the point of my diagnosis due to the extremely high blood sugar levels my body was experiencing.

At the same time, I had been offered seasonal conservation officer work out in Alberta, but with how poor my health was, I knew moving 3 provinces over and taking on a physically demanding job while in the poorest health of my life was probably not the right choice. I ended up interviewing for a student conservation officer assistant job that would allow me to stay fairly locally in Ontario and was successful. Initially I was disappointed, as I felt like I was giving up a better experience by turning down the work in Alberta, however, I knew that taking the assistant position was the safer move given the need to get my health in order that summer. I didn't know this at the time, but it ended up being one of the best decisions I've ever made as this is where I met and got to work with Ben Sumner for the first time.

At this time, Ben was a conservation officer out of Owen Sound ON. Right from the beginning, Ben treated me as an equal and made me feel like a valued part of the team. This was special to me, as not a lot of officers wanted to have a student following them around all summer. It was an incredible summer getting to job shadow him, he trusted me with operating all of the boats and even making contacts with the public. He went out of his way to make sure I gained a variety of experiences and passed down as much knowledge as he could. It was a short student contract, and I ended up volunteering a month of work in order to keep gaining these experiences with him. Ben would've been happy to keep me on as a volunteer, and I wanted to stay locally in order to do so, but I had to move back home to Hamilton as I required a hip surgery for a rugby injury I received back in University. I was sad to move home, as Ben had become a good friend on top of the mentorship role he had taken with me.

Ben kept in touch and remained an unwavering pillar of support for me. Every job I applied for, Ben helped me prepare for the interviews with sending me scenario type questions I would face and helping me prepare for them. The next summer, after I had recovered from my hip surgery, I got hired as Provincial Park Warden. Ben of course, was a reference for me and helped me prepare for the interview and due to the experiences he had given me with operating vessels the previous summer, I was given the responsibilities of vessel supervisor within our park.

After that summer, I had applied with Parks Canada to become a National Park Warden, and with his help, I was successful. This was a big moment, as I knew this job would give me the experience I needed to become a conservation officer just like him. I had always dreamed of working alongside him one day, and I felt like I was closer to achieving that goal. The next few years passed and Ben took on additional mentorship roles I had never expected. One of those things in life that I didn't feel like I had a good handle on was financial planning. Ben seems to be a guru at many things, and he was excited to set up a zoom call with me and my girlfriend (now wife). He spent countless hours in the evenings of his own time teaching us how to manage our money, set budgets, and save for the future. With his help, we now had a plan in place and understood how to save for retirement. This was a huge help, and something no one ever took the time to teach us about.

In 2021, Ben reached out excitedly one day letting me know that there was going to be a job posting for 25 new conservation officer hires. I knew this was my chance to get hired, and with his help, I managed to do exactly that. The only thing was this time, he was acting as a Staff Sergeant, and would be involved in the interview process, so he couldn't actually directly help me prepare as it would be a conflict of interest. Another thing I admire about Ben is he always plays by the rules, and I have a great respect for that. He knew he had already given me the tools to succeed, and succeed I did. I was hired and got my first choice of location. I was now a conservation officer in the same work unit as him, and he would be my Sergent. After going through initial training, I was informed that Ben would be my coach officer. I couldn't believe where I ended up, and how it all worked out, but here I was again working with Ben, but this time both of us got to wear the uniform. I was incredibly proud of this.

My career was going very well, I loved the team I was a part of and felt like we were accomplishing a lot of good things together. It was truly everything I hoped it would be as I got to take part in a lot of projects and lead some large ones myself. Throughout this time however, I was experiencing more health issues, I was sustaining many injuries and experiencing muscle failure, but I kept pushing through it, chalking things up to having an auto immune disease and dealing with post rugby injuries.

In October of 2023, my wife and I welcomed to the world our first-born son, Jack Benjamin Savoie. We chose his middle name after Ben Sumner, whom has been such an important part of our lives since we met him. Shortly after Jack's arrival, my health further deteriorated to the point of major concern. My joints felt arthritic, I was experiencing full body chronic pain and fatigue, and the muscle failure was affecting everyday living. I was on parental leave at this time but knew I would not be able to return as an active field officer given my health issues. Ben has been nothing but supportive of me during this time, and he was once again in the acting Staff Sergeant position, meaning he was now my boss.

While I was off work, Ben regularly checked in on me and offered every support he could. When I returned to work, but knew my limitations and gave me meaningful work I could complete from the desk. Mentally, I truly went downhill. My self-worth had tanked, and I was very depressed as I not only worried for my long-term health and to be able to be an active Dad for my son, wife, and lab Yeti, but because I felt like I was letting my team down, that I was putting more work on their plates as I couldn't help shoulder the load. Ben knew I wasn't doing well, as my year was filled with countless appointments with various specialists, blood tests, and my own research of what could be causing my ailments.

Ben took it upon himself to nominate me for an Ontario Conservation Officer Torch Award, which is awarded for demonstrating exceptional ability and initiative in the performance of his or her duties, including public education for my previous work when I was healthier. I was selected to receive this award, which certainly meant a lot to me given my situation. Ben was in a tough position with me, as he was now my boss and both of us knew I just didn't have the capacity to perform in the way we both knew I could. His patience with me was unwavering, and more than I deserved. He pushed me at times where he knew I needed it and gave me space when he knew that was what was best for me as well.

Stephen Savoie today (left), and pictured with his dad Steve at Kississing when he was younger (right).

To this day, I still haven't been able to figure out what is causing my issues despite seeing every appropriate specialist at McMaster University Hospital. I'm now paying out of pocket to a specialized naturopath in Toronto with the hopes of resolving my issues. Despite my health not being where it should, I have started feeling better mentally, and I know it's because of the supportive family I have at home, and Ben Sumner, who never gave up on me when I certainly did. I don't think Ben truly knows what he means to me and what he's done for me, but he's been such an incredible mentor to both me and my wife. He absolutely deserves to go on a fishing trip of a lifetime and I'd love to see him take his mentor, retired conservation officer Rich Henry with him, as he's told me before Rich has done a lot for him in his life, and if that's coming from Ben, I know he must be a pretty special person too.

Ben has inspired me to Cast it Forward just like he has, and whenever I've met someone who wants to become a conservation officer, I try to be just like Ben, and give them the same knowledge, support and patience that he's given me all these years. I don't know if I'll ever be able to match what he's done for me for somebody else, but I know I'll certainly keep trying as long as I'm here.

Curt and Juanita, thank you for offering this generous initiative. I know there's a ton of people out there who deserve this, and I've just enjoyed the opportunity to be able to share a special person with you. Congratulations to whomever is selected, I know they deserve it.

SETH SAARINEN

Nominated by: Shaun Van Dyke

Seth Saarinen pictured with his family.

When I heard about this opportunity to recognize an important person in my life, along with the possibility to enjoy a one-of-a-kind fishing trip, I really thought it was tailor made for my good friend and mentor, Seth.

The reason this is so spot-on for him is because he has changed my life through career mentorship in a challenging law enforcement Investigations position, being a model for great fatherhood and guidance towards accepting Christ into my life. It doesn’t hurt that Seth, the self-proclaimed “World’s Best Fisherman,” promised to take me fishing last year but wasn’t able. With the addition of a second child to my amazing family, the fun can sometimes get put on hold and with all of Seth’s responsibilities, I know that is the case for him as well. Let me explain why Seth is so deserving of this opportunity for recognition.

In 2020, I was promoted to an investigative position within a moderate sized, but overly busy, police department. Despite being a bit old for starting a career in this field in 2017, I worked very hard, sometimes to the detriment of my family-life, and excelled relatively quickly. As soon as I became direct co-workers with Seth, I knew he was a man of integrity, kindness, and a devout Christian. There are some people in life that seem to be able to carry the weight of the world without breaking a sweat and never complaining. Seth is that person and motivated me to do and be better.

Within a month or so of being assigned to this specialty position, I found myself leading a complex and brutal homicide. Seth was the guiding force that led to the successful resolution of that investigation and a constant resource for counsel on how to be a great detective. I am immensely grateful for the example he put forth every day in a mentally and emotionally challenging occupation.

Since becoming a friend and co-worker of Seth’s, my wife and I have welcomed two beautiful daughters into our family. “Grateful” is an understatement for my view of Seth’s friendship during this time. As any parent can attest, children are a life-changer and a true realization that we are meant to live for others and not our own self-gratification. Seth has been an exemplary husband to his wife, Heidi, and father to his two children, Rafe and Taya. Seth and Heidi are true Christian parents who have raised two children with strong morals and faith that are destined to continue the path so well-laid by their parents. His actions as a father and husband have shaped my approach to my own household. Although I fall short sometimes in this same pursuit, I know I can look to my good friend’s guidance and to God to right the ship.

Most importantly, Seth has helped me to accept Christ into my life. Begrudgingly, I would have to admit that I used to be a person who would say that he wasn’t Christian, but rather, “Spiritual”. Seth never pried about my beliefs or pushed me in a particular direction. Instead, whenever I asked a religious question, he patiently explained his belief in Christ. This patience and steadfast faith slowly built my curiosity. I started reading religious books that examined the validity of Christ’s sacrifice for our sins and came face-to-face with the realization of one thing: Christ is King. I don’t know where I would be in life without my friend Seth, but I know two things: I wouldn’t have salvation and I wouldn’t have my beautiful family. I say that because my wife and I struggled to conceive for years and not-so-coincidentally, when I started on my path to Christ, she became pregnant with our first.

Seth has always been a steadfast friend and constant source of reliability in tough times. Seth and I have tackled countless traumatic investigations, the uncertainty of law-enforcement during the riots in our jurisdiction and greater Minnesota in 2020, and the unprecedented times of COVID. These experiences have taught me about his stoic resilience, humility, and graciousness. Whether we are interrogating a homicide suspect, enjoying a bon fire, or watching a boxing match, you couldn’t ask for a better friend and mentor to enjoy it with.

With that said, I humbly ask for your consideration in my nomination of Seth for the Cast it Forward Initiative. If you are looking for someone more deserving than Seth for this blessing, you’ll be hard pressed to find one. If you do decide to select him for this honor, I ask you to hide this writing from him and tell him I said he was, “decent guy and a below-average fisherman”. Thank you for your time and may God bless you all for extending this opportunity to those so deserving.