Trail's Danny Ashman honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Award medal - Trail News
Trail's own Danny Ashman has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Award medal, recognizing his 40-plus years of contributions to the community.
Photo: Trail Ford AM
Trail's own Danny Ashman has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Award medal, recognizing his 40-plus years of contributions to the community.
âI was given some good lessons to be learned while I was growing up,â said Ashman. âOne that came from my father was to always try to give back.â
Acquiring the Ford franchise in 1984, after proving his ability sell a high volume of vehicles, he became the owner of a Ford dealership in Trail in 1985. Ashman has also been involved in several volunteer projects and community initiatives for decades.
Humbled and emotional when he received the call from the Castlegar and District Chamber of Commerce that he would be presented with the award, he said that he has always been passionate about volunteering and volunteering projects. Despite this, he said he was surprised to be nominated.
âIt was a little bit of a shock,â he said.
Ashman started his career in the car business in Trail after playing junior and senior hockey in B.C.
âI came to Trail with $3.08 in my pocket and after playing three years of junior hockey in Penticton,â said Ashman.
Some of his accomplishments include securing the Canada-Russia under-17 Series in 1997, donating over $20,000 to Kootenay Regional Boundary Hospital (KRBH) and bringing the first Babe Ruth 16-18 division to B.C., which he said broke attendance records.
The award was presented to Ashman by South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings in Castlegar to a small group of area leaders.
Photo: Trail Ford AM
âI had my family, my youngest son, Sean, my daughter and my son, D.J., was there with my wife," said Ashman.
Recognizing that smaller communities can sometimes have a harder time organizing different events, he said that he has always had a devotion to give back to the community any way he can.
âIt's really been a passion of mine," he said.
When asked about what advice he would give to other community members or business owners, he said that itâs important to remember the reasons behind your actions.
âYou never know what the next day is going to bringâitâs just about getting things done and to remember that youâre not doing it for voluntary reasons," he said. "Youâre doing it for the community.â