Individual Recipients

Joe and Vernie Bruder – Pincher Creek
Joe and Vernie volunteer at the Good Samaritan Society’s Vista Village, where they help with meals, assist with the sports program and organize volunteers. Since moving to Pincher Creek in 1993, they have shared many hours serving in their community. Joe shovels snow and helps neighbours with their gardening, and Vernie offers homecare and cooks meals for seniors who need extra help.

William Butterwick – Foremost
William ploughs snow from the driveways of more than 300 Foremost residents using a tractor he purchased without asking for anything in return. He is a dedicated volunteer who has supported his community by being involved in a local church for more than 40 years. In addition, William drives seniors to church and takes them out to Sunday breakfast. He often visits seniors in their homes and assists them with grocery shopping.

Dorothy Carleton – Banff
For more than 20 years, Dorothy has assisted with Monday lunches at the Banff Seniors Centre where she sings in the senior’s choir. A talented singer, she leads singing at St. Martha’s Place Extended Care, is active in the walking program and has assisted staff with carpet bowling for 10 years. Dorothy also belongs to the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital Auxiliary Board and helps with the yearly rummage and bake sale. As well, she is a member of the Banff Legion Auxiliary and makes time to visit and comfort hospital patients.

Dorothy Hodgkinson – Mayerthorpe
Dorothy started the Meals on Wheels program in Mayerthorpe more than 34 years ago. She still serves as the program’s secretary and treasurer and personally delivers at least one meal a week. Dorothy is a founding member of the Mayerthorpe Hospital Auxiliary Association, which raises funds to provide patients and residents with a more comfortable and enjoyable hospital experience. Dorothy has also made time to be an active member of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Mayerthorpe branch #126, for decades. As the current president, she organizes and caters funeral lunches and social gatherings.

Eric Longeway – Calgary
Among other notable volunteer responsibilities, Eric serves as President of the Springbank Heritage Club, which is dedicated to the benefit and enjoyment of seniors. As one of the founders, he has been on the Board of Directors for 12 years. Eric has participated in several citizen groups for the M.D. of Rockyview which identified issues relating to the needs of seniors. As a result of his involvement, parcels of land were set aside for seniors housing. Eric also treats several widows and a disabled senior to a weekly supper.

Irene Nordean – Picture Butte
Since 1980, Irene has been an integral member of the District Happy Old Timers. Along with fundraising, planning and helping to complete the Picture Butte seniors’ centre, she served as Happy Old Timers president for eight years. As a Happy Old Timers member, she makes lunches, washes dishes and decorates for events. Through her work on the bingo committee, and as bingo chairman, Irene helps to raise enough money to pay the centre’s yearly rent. She has also been involved with the Meals on Wheels program for many years.

Organization Recipients

New Horizons Drop-In Center – Grimshaw
The centre organizes and offers crib tournaments, serves lunches and offers monthly adult wellness clinics. The centre offers seniors many activities, including: a group that makes quilts for charitable groups and fundraises for the centre, monthly meetings at the centre for the Lac Cardinal Pioneer Museum, and cooking classes with tips on how to cook ethnic dishes and practice barbeque safety. Each year, the centre works closely with the Town of Grimshaw Community Services Department to implement programs for seniors. Programs include the Seniors Cardio Challenge and Fitness, and the Seniors Snow Removal Program.

Seniors Outreach Network Society – Edmonton
Now in its 12th year, the society helps low-income seniors by providing resources to assist them in staying independent while living in their own homes. The program responds to referrals from Home Care, the Edmonton Police Service and other community organizations by providing registered social workers who make home visits to assess specific needs for seniors. Volunteers with the society drive, walk and visit with seniors, assist those with vision loss and fundraise for the society. During the summer, the society holds a picnic in Laurier Park for clients and offers them day trips outside the city. The society also facilitates meetings for the Edmonton Voluntary Drivers Network, made up of a number of agencies that provide volunteer driving services to seniors.