Regina's Barb Ryan awarded Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year

Seattle Seahawks punter Jon Ryan gets a lot of love from his home province, but this year, it's his mom's turn.

Regina's Barb Ryan has been named the2016 Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year for Saskatchewan.

Speaking to CBC Radio's The Morning Edition, Ryan said receiving the honour has been"humbling."

Ryan has a long list of accomplishments, including volunteering with Relay for Life, Special Olympics, Dress for Successand more. But the cause dearest to her heart is working with refugee families. When asked to host a refugee family from Somalia about five years ago, Ryan didn't hesitate.

It's not a job for me. It's fun. It's so rewarding. If you're ever bored or lonely, shame on you.- Barb Ryan

"They had been in a refugee camp for 19 years in Kenya," Ryan said. "I was supposed to just have a couple of members of the family and I ended up falling in love with the whole group. I think there was nine or 11. It's a huge family. I saw three of their babies born since they've been here."

The experience taught Ryan about the difficult times such families have gone through.

"I can't even tell you the amount of respect I have for them," she said. "Our life here is just fantastic. Our worst day is not even close."

Ryan didn't stop there. She "sort of adopted" another family from Congo that was "really special."

Then last fall, Ryan adopted yet another family, this time from Syria.

"I've become really close to them six kids in the family, mom, dad," she said. "I'm over at their house regularly."

For people interested in doing the same, Ryan said it's easier than you might think.

"Going through Open Door [Society]and volunteering to be a host, they only ask of you maybe one or two hours a week. I give more than that just because I want to. It's not a job for me. It's fun. It's so rewarding. If you're ever bored or lonely, shame on you," Ryan said, laughing.

On top of all her work with refugee families, Ryan previously received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Award for her work with refugees, as well as a being nominated for the YWCA Woman of Distinction award.

A major football fan, Ryan is also a part of a new initiative, Gear Up, which "raised enough money to provide 300 young athletes with safe and quality sporting equipment."

According to the Red Cross, Ryan also chaired the Festival of Trees fundraiser in 2014, "helping to raise $100,000 for palliative care."

Ryan will receive her award at a gala on Oct. 21 in Regina.