The 2012 Volunteer Week is from April 15-April 21.
The 2012 GALA
The 2012 Volunteer Nomination Form

The 2011 Annual Volunteer Impact Gala was held on Friday, April 15th. There were in excess of 230 people in attendance and all enjoyed a lovely meal catered by Sylvan Lake Catering while being entertained by Illusionists Black Salt & Brenda Q.

However, the highlight of the evening was the celebration of the magnitude, breadth, and depth of work being done by local volunteers in order to enhance the quality of life for Sylvan Lake residents.

In attendance were several dignitaries including; MLA Luc Ouellette, former MP and current Conservative candidate Earl Dreeshen, her worship Mayor Samson, local Councillors, and Mayors and Council of the Summer Villages.

The following is a summary of the categories, the nominees in the given category, and the recipient of the award.

Helping Hands – is awarded to a volunteer who contributes significantly to improving the quality of life for others through hands on work such as serving meals, driving, care giving or administrative work.

Recipient - Meals on Wheels

The meals on Wheels program supplies one nutritious meal per day to Sylvan Lake residents unable to cook for themselves but wish to remain in their homes. Delivered Monday-Friday, excluding holidays meals are prepared at the Lodge and sent out. This program has been in operation about 20 years and thousands of happy customers have been fed. The lodge does the cooking, but the program would not function without someone to organize.

Eadie Gamble has been that someone for about 6 years and doing a great job. She sets up the schedule and calls the volunteers who deliver those delicious meals.

There are 10 drivers at present;
Don Edgecombe. Jean Marriott, Bryan Lambertson, Tony Horn, Gerald Bystrom, Margaret De Hass, Sylvia Campbell, Shirley Mannix, Eadie Gamble

These wonderful people not only give their time delivering meals- which can be up to 7 per day, but they are donating the gas to get them there. They come, pick up the meals, drive around town-rain or shine- and back to the Lodge with the boxes. They are the quiet unsung heroes and we love them.

Volunteer Manager

Nominees included; Sonia Munksgaard, Jennifer Plotnikoff, Barb Watson

Recipient – Barb Watson

Although Barb could be nominated in other categories for her work with groups such as the Loiselle chapter, the annual Women’s Wellness Retreat, the Memorial Presbyterian Church Evening Guild, Brownies, dance, minor hockey, the Safe Grad Committee, and transporting seniors to church or other events, she is nominated and awarded the Volunteer Management Award. Barb is surrounded by a committee of friends and family and she has coordinated the Christmas Bureau program in Sylvan Lake for 16 years.

Barb was described by her sister Anna as one of the Christmas Bureau team members as “president, answering service, media spokesperson, and the heart of the organization.” Barb works with local volunteers, businesses, and the community members as the group year in and year out, meets the needs of struggling families and ensures that all children have an opportunity to find a gift underneath the tree at Christmas. It is because of her never ending commitment to this community and her ability to manage this project and its many volunteers that she was nominated and awarded in this category.

Outstanding Leadership – is awarded to a volunteer who exemplifies inspirational leadership and initiative through teaching, coaching, organizing, serving boards and committees and/or other leadership roles in the community.

Nominees included; Todd Alexander, Dean Carlson, Monica Morcom, Brenda Trudel, Lorna White

Recipient – Todd Alexander

Todd’s nomination was two pages long and filled with many wonderful aspects to what makes him a great volunteer. Here is just one paragraph: Todd has been instrumental in the development of a formal soccer club, overseeing the transition from the Sylvan Lake Soccer Association (SLSA) to the Sylvan Lake Blizzard Soccer Club. In 2004, he was a board member and also president of the club, using these roles to further enhance the sports development for several years. Through the implementation of house league and competitive teams, player registration has steadily risen to over 600 kids in a given year. Over the course of these 19 years, he has directly coached hundreds of youth, and his training programs have positively impacted over a thousand more.

To evolve as a coach, and give further opportunities to his players, Todd also made the move to join the Red Deer Renegades and eventually Red Deer United Soccer clubs as a coach, while maintaining his involvement in Sylvan Lake’s soccer teams. In his first year with the Renegades, he was awarded the “Coach of the Year” Honors. To further Alexander’s commitment as a coach, Todd himself took a team to Scotland for a tournament, with many of those players having graduated from the Sylvan Lake Soccer Programs. He is a person who will give you help when need, without reservation.

Corporate Community Partner – is awarded to a local business for its outstanding support and promotions of local volunteerism through corporate culture, activities, and/or philanthropic programs.

Nominees included:
TD Bobcat Scott McDermott- Best Body Fitness

Recipient – TD Bobcat

Doug Borrowman and his team were the first members of our Corporate Volunteer Movement through participation in the Snow Angels Program helping seniors keep their sidewalks and driveways free of snow. They have assisted numerous seniors this winters.

Innovative Involvement – is awarded to an organization who successfully engages volunteers in an innovative and creative style.

Nominees Included;
Roots of Empathy Families

Recipient - Roots of Empathy Families

The Roots of Empathy project came into being as it was championed by the local Safe Care Committee (Susan Hurtak, Kim Lee, Ann Faulk, FCSS) in early 2009 as they were looking for an on-going project where they could utilize the revenue generated from the Barbara Colorosso event.

A steering Committee was formed comprising of local schools (CP Blakely, OLR, Steffie), Family School Wellness, Alberta Health Services, Kindercare, and FCSS to determine the best path for this project. With the work of this committee, the project was up and running by the beginning of the next school year, September 2009.

Who we are wishing to nominate this year, however, are the families. Without the Roots families’ willingness to share the growth and development of their child’s first year, the program would not exist. It is through these monthly visits that the school children gain an understanding of the emotions and needs of others.

Volunteer Impact – is a category comprised of those nominees from other categories who have contributed to such an extent that the impact of their contributions is not easily measured.

Recient - Denise Bignold

When asked, “What committees, boards, and groups has Denise volunteered with over the years?” You might be better off asking “Who hasn’t she volunteered with?”

Denise has also volunteered with the following;
Archives, Lions/Lioness, FCSS Board, Guides (regional leader), Library board, Extended Care Board, HCI Committee (when the HCI committee first came together, it was Denise who connected with all local groups to find out where they believed they fit within the Community Vision).

Award Photos